Samer Alatout, associate professor of community and environmental sociology, was caught being detained by police officers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, in the United States, this Wednesday (1st).
The photo was shared with CNN by Tyler Katzenberger of The Daily Cardinal college newspaper
In an interview with WMTV, an affiliate network of CNN, Alatout said police arrived at the pro-Palestinian demonstration on campus in riot gear and began to disperse the protest.
He added that the protests held over the past two days were “really beautiful and peaceful,” with students from different religious and ethnic backgrounds together.
Alatout noted that several university professors and staff were also present.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison has not confirmed to CNN whether Alatout was among those arrested this Wednesday.
According to the institution's police department, 34 people were detained, the majority of whom “were released without any citations issued.”
“Today it seems that the administration has decided to give the green light for the police force to enter and put an end to the protest,” commented Alatout, adding that the police were “violently” attacking the protesters.
“I think it’s racially motivated. I am the only Palestinian-American professor who mentors, for example, a group of students here and who has been involved with the staff and faculty. Everyone in the administration knows me,” Alatout told WMTV.
He also highlighted that the police officers hit him several times with their shields, hitting him in the nose and forehead. They also pulled him to the ground several times, he added.
A CNN contacted university police for more details, including whether Alatout was among those arrested.
“I can’t leave students alone, period. This is my first and most important obligation,” said Alatout.
Source: CNN Brasil
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