Chaos at FAU Boca Raton: Tension boils over with 3 arrests following pro-Palestine march on campus

BOCA RATON — Three people were arrested on Florida Atlantic University's campus Wednesday following a march to show support for Palestine that was met with counter protests, resulting in an emotional, chaotic scene and campus police tackling a young woman to the ground.

The woman, a 19-year-old FAU student whose birthplace is Jordan, was arrested on a felony battery charge after she elbowed a pro-Israeli woman, according to an FAU police report. Two other demonstrators were taken into custody and are facing charges of battery, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. Police indicated the other two are not FAU students.

The march, which was organized by the FAU Muslim Student Association, included about 100 protesters, according to witnesses. A spokesperson for the student group said in a statement issued Friday that the march was approved by FAU and "it was declared at the outset that it would be nonviolent and peaceful."