Dozens of Yale students arrested protesting the university's investment in Puerto Rican debt, fossil

Nearly 50 people were arrested Friday protesting Yale University's investments in Puerto Rican debt and in fossil fuel companies.

The protest began at noon, when a coalition of community and student groups entered the Yale Investments Office at 55 Whitney Ave., with the intention of staying until the university committed to meeting their demands. The group is asking Yale to direct its fund managers to cancel holdings in Puerto Rico’s debt and divest the endowment from fossil fuel companies.

“The funds for our education should not come from environmental destruction and predatory debt,'' said Martin Mann, a member of Fossil Free Yale and Yale Young Democratic Socialists of America. "These investments are immoral. They signal that the University sees no issue with the hypocrisy of supporting and profiting from fossil fuel extraction, climate injustice, and neo-colonial exploitation while priding itself in its climate science research and education of social justice."

According to a press release from Fossil Free Yale, the protestors remained in the building until 5 p.m., when Yale University police began making arrests. A total of 48 people were arrested, while more than 350 remained outside and cheered on those who were escorted out by police.

Read more: https://www.courant.com/politics/hc-pol-yale-students-arrested-20181207-story.html