NIGHT MOVES: A Photo Essay from The NYU Gaza Solidarity Encampment

Solidarity movements that have left a lasting impact throughout history often embody an undeniable identity. This was evident during the Civil Rights era with figures like Dr. King and the Black Panthers and in movements such as the Vietnam protests and Black Lives Matter. At these movements' core is the convergence of diverse cultures, genders, family backgrounds, and ideas.

 In this student-led revolution, the rapid acceleration of momentum directly results from the Internet culture in this generation. A prominent illustration of this phenomenon is the wildfire-like spread of Gaza Solidarity Encampments, which originated at Columbia University NYC and now appear nationwide.

On Monday, April 22, five days into the protests, I visited the newly established encampment outside NYU’s Stern School of Business at Gould Plaza. With the supportive atmosphere at Columbia, I anticipated a rebellious spirit among the lower Manhattan crowd. Around 6:30 p.m., I made my way through Washington Square Park towards Gould Plaza; the air was filled with passionate discussions of liberation. The sight of keffiyehs and Palestinian flags became increasingly common along the route. Pulling up to the encampment, I witnessed waves of allies pushing against police barricades, amplifying the fervor of the plaza with chants, rallying cries, and homemade signs. The heavy police presence was evident, with NYPD and Community Affairs officers closely monitoring. paddy wagons stood ready nearby, prepared to transport any arrestees.

7:45 p.m. — As dusk fell and night descended, tensions mounted. Protesters grew more confrontational, and it was clear the police felt increasingly outnumbered as the crowd swelled. Shouts of “Shame, shame” could be heard echoing off the surrounding buildings. NYU professors and staff locked arms and circled the encampment, protecting students from the inevitable push by the cops to arrest. Warnings to leave the area or risk arrest continued over the bullhorns. The crowd drowned them out. As the stalemate heightened, the NYPD faced mounting pressure to make a move, with protestors adamant they wouldn't disperse until their demands were addressed. The tension escalated as officers strategically positioned themselves at every entrance and exit. At the onset of darkness, they made said move, methodically entering the plaza from the alleys behind the encampment. Despite repeated warnings to disperse, protestors stood their ground, meeting them halfway to the camp along with a group of photographers. Chants of “students, students hold your ground”, “NYPD back down!” grew into a roar. Baton-wielding officers, armed with threats of tear gas, gradually closed in, overtaking protestors and encircling the camp. Amidst arrests, the police line steadily pushed protestors back, gaining ground until they reached the top of the stairs. Despite attempts to resist arrest, the sheer force of the police advance proved overwhelming, leaving little opportunity for successful de-arrests. About 40 people, protesters, and photographers, trailed the procession of those detained back to where the buses were staged. As the buses left for the precinct, the group following marched into the night, their voices echoing with chants of "free, free Palestine."

Students at NYU protest near Stern School of Business at Gould Plaza in New York City on April 22, 2024. (Photo: Shedrick Pelt)

Student carrying percussion instrument with 'Free Gaza' written on the side on April 22, 2024 at Gould Plaza in New York City. (Photo: Shedrick Pelt)

Banner of New York University hanging on a building behind a blurred image of a protester wearing a keffiyeh at Gould Plaza on April 22, 2024. (Photo: Shedrick Pelt)

Labradoodle wearing a keffieyh at the NYU demonstration at Gould Plaza in New York City on April 22, 2024. (Photo: Shedrick Pelt)

Protesters in front of NYU Stern School of Business at Gould Plaza in New York City on April 22, 2024. (Photo: Shedrick Pelt)

Police car and paddy wagon near protestors at Gould Plaza in New York City on April 22, 2024. (Photo: Shedrick Pelt)

NYPD paddy wagon parked awaiting arrestees from the pro-Palestine protest at Gould Plaza in New York City on April 22, 2024. (Photo: Shedrick Pelt)

Protestors by the NYPD paddy wagon holding Palestine flags and signs at Gould Plaza in New York City on April 22, 2024. One visible sign reads 'THE RIGHT TO RETURN HOME.' (Photo: Shedrick Pelt)

Protester draped in a keffiyeh and the Palestine flag at Gould Plaza in New York City on April 22, 2024. (Photo: Shedrick Pelt)

Protestors chant and speak in front of the NYU Stern School of Business at Gould Plaza in New York City on April 22, 2024. One protester can be seen holding a sign in the background that reads: 'WE WILL NOT BE SILENT.' (Photo: Shedrick Pelt)

NYPD Community Affairs stand by at Gould Plaza in New York City on April 22, 2024. (Photo: Shedrick Pelt)

Protesters link up arm in arm to protect their encampment at Gould Plaza in New York City on April 22, 2024. (Photo: Shedrick Pelt)

NYPD swarm protesters at Gould Plaza in New York City on April 22, 2024. (Photo: Shedrick Pelt)

Faces of NYPD officers at Gould Plaza in New York City on April 22, 2024. (Photo: Shedrick Pelt)

Protesters hold signs at Gould Plaza in New York City on April 22, 2024. One sign reads: 'DISMANTLE THE POLICE STATE.' (Photo: Shedrick Pelt)

NYPD officers swarm protesters at Gould Plaza in New York City on April 22, 2024. (Photo: Shedrick Pelt)

NYPD officers swarm protesters at Gould Plaza in New York City on April 22, 2024. (Photo: Shedrick Pelt)

NYPD officers swarm protesters at Gould Plaza in New York City on April 22, 2024. (Photo: Shedrick Pelt)

Protesters chant and hold signs at Gould Plaza in New York City on April 22, 2024. (Photo: Shedrick Pelt)

Protesters at Gould Plaza in New York City on April 22, 2024. (Photo: Shedrick Pelt)

Protesters at Gould Plaza in New York City on April 22, 2024. (Photo: Shedrick Pelt)

NYPD officers surround the Gaza Solidarity Encampment near NYU’s Stern School of Business in Gould Plaza. (Photo: Shedrick Pelt)

Arrested pro-Palestine protester seen inside NYPD paddy wagon at Gould Plaza in New York City on April 22, 2024. (Photo: Shedrick Pelt)

Protester wearing a red keffiyeh at Gould Plaza in New York City on April 22, 2024. (Photo: Shedrick Pelt)

Protester carrying a sign that reads: 'ISRAEL MUST BE STOPPED.' (Photo: Shedrick Pelt)

Protesters at the NYU Gaza Solidarity Encampment at Gould Plaza in New York City on April 22, 2024. (Photo: Shedrick Pelt)

Protested carrying a paper stack of signs that read: 'DISCLOSE! DIVEST! WE WILL NOT STOP! WE WILL NOT REST!' (Photo: Shedrick Pelt)