ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The University of New Mexico’s Student Union Building remains closed Tuesday evening as the university cleans up from an overnight protest that ended with over a dozen arrests.
The protest started late Monday afternoon with a group that moved from the duck pond into the SUB. UNM said vandalism was left throughout the building.
Story continues below
Podcast: How a Supreme Court case on homelessness could affect New Mexico
Trending: Cargo check in southern New Mexico turns up with hundreds of pounds of drugs
News: New Mexico State Police conducts PIT maneuver, crashes into stolen Taos County Sheriff’s Office unit
“I’m very proud for the students showing up and really being intense with their emotion and things that are really going on. I think it’s a real disgrace that they had state police come in,” said one anonymous UNM student on campus Tuesday.
The protest at UNM was among dozens on college campuses across the country with groups in part calling for a ceasefire in the ongoing Israel Hamas war in Gaza.
Monday night and into Tuesday morning protestors marched into the SUB and put up tents on the second floor. UNM administration said protestors made it clear they would stay until their needs were met even after being told to leave.
Early Tuesday morning UNM police alongside state police showed up in riot gear, eventually detaining and citing 16 people.
“Everyone should be able to support their own viewpoints and I support that 100%. But when it starts to affect other people and day-to-day life, it’s no longer peaceful. Seeing a bunch of spray paint in the SUB, I don’t know the damage, but it can’t be good if they’re going to close the SUB to complete a full assessment of it,” said another anonymous UNM student on Tuesday.
The 16 protesters cited are facing criminal trespassing and wrongful use of public property. UNM said protestors damaged furniture, walls, doors, and more.
“This was not a protest or demonstration. This was vandalism. This was occupying a building that is for the entire UNM community. We have students that go to eat here on campus, they go to study here on campus, you know, students were also verbally harassed when they said that this was a place for study,” said Cinnamon Blair, UNM Chief Marketing and Communications Officer.
So far, UNM doesn’t have a dollar figure on the damage but said the SUB will reopen at 7 a.m. on Wednesday. The university said five of the 16 arrested were students, while the other 11 were not affiliated with UNM.
“For those students, there is the possibility that they could also, you know, be investigated for any violations of the Student Code of Conduct. And that will go through our Dean of Students Office,” said Blair.
