UNC campus moved to Condition 2 shortly after 3 p.m. on Tuesday, suspending all non-mandatory operations and cancelling all remaining classes as a rally of pro-Palestine demonstrators developed into a broader struggle with campus police over the flagpole at Polk Place.

Footage from the central open space on the Chapel Hill campus showed university police retaliating against community members who removed the United States flag around 2 p.m. and replaced it with a Palestinian flag. The group had marched over to the area — which had been the site of an encampment established by the UNC Students for Justice in Palestine chapter in the days prior — and removed temporary barricades put up by police after law enforcement arrested demonstrators Tuesday morning. While UNC Police officers and Interim Chancellor Lee Roberts came out of South Building and raised a replacement U.S. flag, members of the pro-Palestinian group removed the American flag a second time. During the police response, officers used pepper spray on the crowd.

Reports from campus said after the United States flag was removed for a second time, the crowd began to disperse.

The incident happened around two hours after a rally organized by UNC Students for Justice in Palestine began a few yards away at the steps of South Building — where demonstrators criticized the university for arresting colleagues earlier on Tuesday and inaction regarding their requests for UNC to divest from any contracts with companies who have ties with Israel. Until its movement to the flagpole, the gathering was peaceful and consisted of speakers using megaphones to talk with participants and lead chants.

At 5:44 p.m., UNC SJP shared their organization would not be returning to Polk Place for another encampment and further demonstration on Tuesday night. UNC Facilities and Services employees and university administrators restored a U.S. flag to the flagpole by 6:30 p.m., with counter-protestors and onlooking students stepping in as well.

A group of UNC students try to prevent the United States flag from touching the ground after it was removed by pro-Palestine demonstrators on April 30. Another student holds an Israeli flag in counter-protest to the demonstration. (Photo via Tyler Hanke.)

Condition 2 is reserved for when “safety risks or logistical challenges are severe, and there is substantial interest in having a relatively limited number of individuals travel to or remain on campus,” according to the university system’s Adverse Weather & Emergency Closing guidelines. It asks all non-mandatory employees to not report to work and leave campus immediately.

Tuesday marked the last day of class at UNC for the academic year. UNC said in its Alert Carolina message the Condition 2 status was slated to last until 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
Police: String of Vehicle Break-Ins Reported at UNC
A recent rash of vehicle break-ins led the UNC Police Department to issue an Alert Carolina to the campus community on Wednesday.
UNC Police Receive Report of 'Unwanted Sexual Touching' on Bus
The UNC Police Department issued an Alert Carolina message on Thursday night to the campus community, sharing details of an “unwanted sexual touching” that happened two days prior. The message said a campus security authority received a report and the incident happened on Tuesday, January 10 on a Chapel Hill Transit bus. The vehicle was […]
UNC Police Investigating Thefts From Backpacks in Biology Buildings
The UNC Police Department is urging students and campus community members to keep an eye on their belongings after reports of thefts in several academic halls. An Alert Carolina message shared on Monday afternoon said police are investigating multiple larcenies and attempted larcenies in four buildings: Fordham Hall, Wilson Hall, Coker Hall, and the Genome […]
UNC Police Investigating Reports of Larceny at First-Year Dorm
The UNC Police Department is seeking the public’s help in its investigation of recent reports of larceny and break-ins at Hinton James Residence Hall. UNC shared an Alert Carolina message with its campus community on Thursday shortly before 7 p.m., saying three reports of such incidents at the freshman dorm, which is located off Manning […]
UNC Police Investigating String of Campus Burglaries
UNC authorities are investigating a series of burglaries that happened to on-campus apartments in the recent weeks and have identified a suspect. The UNC Police Department sent a message to the campus community on Monday afternoon, informing residents about a string of break-ins to the Rams Village 2 and Rams Village 5 residence halls. The […]
UNC Police: 'Multiple' Scooter, Bike Thefts on Reported Campus in October
At least seven reports of stolen e-scooters, bicycles, and e-bikes in the month of October led UNC Police to issue a campus-wide alert.
UNC Warns of Vehicle Break-Ins at SECU Family House, Friday Center Park and Ride
A string of vehicle break-ins reported at two university properties in Chapel Hill led UNC Police to alert the public on Wednesday afternoon.
Police: UNC Student Victim of Carjacking in W. Franklin Street Parking Deck
Chapel Hill Police are investigating the carjacking of a UNC student that took place early Saturday morning. No injuries are reported.
UNC Warns Students of Recent Electric Scooter, E-Bike Thefts Across Campus
An uptick of electric scooter and bike thefts around UNC campus led to university police warning students to protect their mini motor vehicles.
Palestine Supporters Rally at UNC Leads to Suspension of Classes, Non-Mandatory Operations
UNC campus moved to Condition 2 shortly after 3 p.m. on Tuesday, suspending all non-mandatory operations and cancelling all remaining classes as a rally of pro-Palestine demonstrators developed into a broader struggle with campus police over the flagpole at Polk Place. !Alert Carolina! Adverse Conditions – Critical: UNC in Condition 2; 3-11:59pm today. Classes canceled. […]
›