Police arrested two people near the Tulane University campus at a demonstration over the Israel-Hamas war, the school said Thursday.
Demonstrators supporting the Israelis and Palestinians were protesting Thursday afternoon on Freret Street when the altercation occurred and officers with Louisiana State Police and the New Orleans, Tulane University and Loyola University police departments responded.
Tulane President Michael Fitts said three Tulane students were assaulted during the rally, which he stressed was not sanctioned by the school.
As of 6 p.m. Thursday, Orleans Parish jail records indicated a single simple battery booking was made in connection with the protest.
Tulane said more arrests are possible as security footage is being reviewed. The campus is secure and additional security measures are being implemented, the school said.
Summer Swenson, a Tulane University sophomore who witnessed the altercation, said it began when someone tried to light an Israeli flag on fire.
"Then, more people started coming up and there were a lot of punches," she said. "There was a brawl in the middle."
Freret Street between Calhoun and Broadway streets was closed while the protest took place. The stretch of Freret has since reopened.
This story was updated with additional information.
Staff Writer Chad Calder contributed to this report.
