Police on campus at Columbia and UCLA as protests disrupt U.S. universities: Live updates

A photo shared with CNN by Tyler Katzenberger of the Daily Cardinal, a university newspaper, shows Sameer Alatou, an associate professor of community and environmental sociology, being pinned to the ground by a University of Wisconsin-Madison police officer. ing.

In an interview with CNN affiliate WMTV, Alatu said that police arrived at the pro-Palestinian demonstration on campus with riot gear and began to quell the protest. He added that the protests over the past two days have been “really beautiful and peaceful,” with students from different religious and ethnic backgrounds protesting together.

Alatu noted that several faculty members from the university were also in attendance.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison would not confirm to CNN whether Alatu was among those arrested early Wednesday. A total of 34 people were arrested, the majority of whom were “released without citations,” according to the University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department.

“Today, the government appears to have given the green light for police to come in and quell the protests,” Alatu said, adding that police were “violently” attacking demonstrators.

“I think it's racially motivated,” Alatu told WMTV. “I'm the only Palestinian-American professor here, for example, advising student groups and engaging with staff and faculty. Everyone in the administration knows me.”

Alatu said the officer hit him several times with a shield and “bumped” him in the nose and forehead. They also reportedly dragged him to the ground multiple times.

CNN has contacted university police for further details, including whether Alatu was among those arrested.

“I cannot leave my students alone. That is my first duty,” Alatu said.