American police arrested presidential candidate Jill Stein while she participated in a pro-Palestinian protest at Washington University.
Stein, representing the Green Party, reported on the social media platform X that her campaign manager Jason Cole and deputy campaign manager Kelly Merrill Cair were also detained during the demonstration against the university’s ties to the war on Gaza.
CNN reported that Stein’s campaign spokesperson stated they were not yet aware of any charges being filed. Stein joined the protest to support students who had set up a camp, declaring they would not leave until the university divested from its investments in Boeing and boycotted Israeli academic institutions.
In a video recorded before her arrest and published on X, Stein expressed her support for the students and their constitutional rights to free speech.
“We will stand united here with students who are defending democracy, human rights, and striving to end genocide,” she added.
David Schwab, Stein’s communications director, told CNN that Stein attempted to calm the situation between the protesters and police on Saturday afternoon, but the police “did not respond” and soon began making arrests.
“It’s shameful that university administrations overlook the use of force against their students, who are simply advocating for peace, human rights, and an end to the genocide that the American people abhor,” Schwab added.
