No arrests were made, and protesters exited the building when police entered, a university spokesperson said. The demonstrators dispersed at about 9:30 p.m.
An “autonomous” group of demonstrators occupied the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics on Friday afternoon, demanding divestment from Israel, before being driven out by police.
Around 5 p.m., a large group of protesters surrounded the building as others occupied it. Shortly after, a group of University of Chicago police officers equipped with riot shields burst into the building and scuffled with protesters.
One was seen pushing protesters away from the front door of the building, located on Woodlawn Avenue near 57th Street. Some protesters were later seen climbing out of a second-story window, followed by police.
University of Chicago spokesperson Jeremy Manier said a group of masked protesters entered the building at around 4:40 p.m. They then attempted to bar the entrance, damaged university property and ignored directives from campus police to clear the way, according to Manier, though he wouldn’t specify what damage was done or if university police were investigating.
