CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – (CVILLERIGHTNOW) – As the conflict over an encampment of protesters escalated today in front of the University of Virginia, we were there to cover the situation as it unfolded.

This is the timeline and backstory from our developing story, along with legal analysis and and live reports:

Update 5:55pm: A group has assembled outside the magistrate’s office to push back against the arrest of 25 members of the crowd the Encampment for Gaza protest.

Update, 4:01pm: Police continue to push perimeter back as protesters resist leaving, our Jay Hart reports from the scene as pepper spray filled the air and protestors chant support for Gaza.

Update, 3:47 p.m.  Reports of pepper spray being used from Jay Hart at the scene.

Update, 3:40 p.m.: UVA Police, Virginia State Police, Charlottesville Police and the Albemarle County Police push crowd toward University Avenue.

Update, 3:17 p.m.: More riot police arrive. Israeli students cheering their arrival.

Update, 2:54 p.m.: 

Update, 2:42 p.m.: UVA EMERGENCY ALERT: UNLAWFUL ASSEMBLY DECLARED IN THE ROTUNDA/CHAPEL AREA

Update, 1:19 p.m.: University Avenue is closed to incoming traffic at in the UVA Corner area. UVA Police, Virginia State Police, Charlottesville Police and the Albemarle County Police department have joined the perimeter.

Update, 1:07 p.m.: Police have set up a perimeter around the entire encampment.

Update, 11:56 a.m.: UVA Police have sent an alert to avoid activity at the Rotunda/Chapel area.

Previously:

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLERIGHTNOW) – At the University of Virginia, tensions escalated on Saturday as police began to remove a group’s encampment near the Rotunda and chapel on Grounds.

The group began as a peaceful protest, and consisted of approximately 20 people. They had set up several tents on Friday night as part of their demonstration in solidarity with Gaza. The crowd grew to an estimated 1,000 people by noon Saturday.

According to an emergency alert issued by the University of Virginia Office of Emergency Management, there was police activity in the area of the Rotunda and the chapel, prompting advisories for people to avoid the vicinity.

Earlier in the week, university officials had permitted the protestors group to demonstrate on the grounds as long as they did not put tents up or using loudspeakers, both of which are against university regulations.

Attempts at negotiation were made by UVA Police Chief Tim Longo, who requested the removal of the tents while indicating that the demonstrators could remain otherwise.

The was met with resistance from some members of the group. Police temporarily left the area, before returning in larger numbers with riot gear.

This is the original request the group “University of Virginia Liberation Encampment for Gaza” posted online.

CORRECTION: Police Chief Tim Longo clarified on May 7th that pepper spray was used, not tear gas. Our first versions stated pepper spray was used, other later updates incorrectly state that tear gas was used by attendees.