Campus protests and unrest disrupted colleges across the US: Live updates

At least one student who was arrested during a pro-Palestinian demonstration at the University of Georgia on Monday has been suspended from the school the student says.

In an email obtained by CNN, the university notified “Ezra” Lewis that they had been suspended over UGA “Code of Conduct” regulations, after participating in an on-campus protest that “violated the University’s Policy on Freedom of Expression.”

The letter alleges Lewis “intentionally or recklessly” disrupted the normal operations of the university when they participated in an encampment set-up on the school’s campus on Monday.

Lewis, a third-year student at UGA, received the suspension notification just hours after being arrested by authorities at UGA. They said the email notification gave them roughly two minutes to leave campus or face being arrested again.

“It’s so crazy to me that the university would turn their back on us,” Lewis told CNN in an interview on Tuesday. Lewis fears further reprisal from the university for speaking out on the arrest and related suspension, which Lewis plans on appealing.

“They have touted my name around as a diversity and inclusion person,” Lewis said, in rebuke of the school’s decision, adding that the university has used their image in “every single website” and “on campus walls” for their multiple academic accomplishments .

Lewis, an honors student, is the President of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority. They were also one of the first recipients of a scholarship from the Landscape Architecture Foundation given to people of color, according to a release from UGA.

According to jail records, Lewis was charged with one count of criminal trespass, a misdemeanor. They have since posted bond and been released from jail.

On Monday, UGA told CNN at least 25 people were arrested after setting-up in an encampment on campus. A University spokesperson said the protests violated school policy, and that the arrests were made after “multiple warnings” were given to the group to disperse.

Lewis said that authorities used “a crazy amount of force,” during the arrests.

UGA has not responded to requests for comments about the suspensions on Tuesday.

Lewis told CNN that the group didn’t take out a permit to protest in an act of “civil disobedience.” They added that the protest was in solidarity with Palestine, and in tandem with protests on other colleges and universities across the country.

They demand that UGA disclose and divest from companies that support Israel, protection for students on campus and to stand in solidarity with Palestine. Protesters are also specifically demanding divestment in the school’s study abroad programs in Tel Aviv.