“Number of buildings” damaged by a pro-Palestinian group at the UNC

Pro-Palestinian protesters spray-painted the ROTC Armory building at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and vandalized other buildings on Thursday afternoon.

Before 2 p.m., WRAL News received photos showing the ROTC Naval Armory building at 221 S. Columbia St. spray-painted with the words “Israel bombs, USA pays,” as well as the words “burn” and “riot.”

Another student reported that protesters disrupted her class at Mitchell Hall, a half-mile from the ROTC building. Videos on social media showed protesters moving from building to building.

One student told WRAL News that her Jewish studies class was interrupted by protests.

Sky 5 flew overhead at 3 p.m. as students were removing paint from the ROTC building.

The group Students for Justice in Palestine (UNCSJP) took responsibility for the protest and released the following statement:

“The student movement protests the UNC's refusal to withdraw from the apartheid regime and the Zionist regime's genocidal campaign against the Palestinians… until the UNC ends its complicity in the genocide, the student movement will continue to organize and disrupt normal business operations.”

UNC released a statement saying:

“A group of approximately 150 people entered academic buildings and disrupted classes. While we do not believe there is an ongoing threat to personal safety, the group caused disruption, vandalized a number of buildings and caused significant damage. Police continue to monitor campus and will conduct any necessary investigations.”

In previous protests at UNC, demonstrators have expressed concern for the Palestinian people and concerns about the UNC's foundation's investments in companies with Israeli ties. It is unknown whether UNC's $5.2 billion foundation invests in companies with ties to Israel.

Since the beginning of the war between Israel and Hamas, UNC has been the scene of numerous protests. Most recently, in May, around 100 demonstrators gathered at the Peace and Justice Plaza right next to campus. The protest was loud but remained peaceful.

A week earlier, protests at UNC escalated into violence when police clashed with protesters near campus. On April 30, 36 people were arrested at UNC and an American flag on campus was taken down and replaced with a Palestinian flag. Classes were canceled for the rest of the day.

Following the April 30 protests, a 12-foot-high metal fence was erected around the flag on campus.