CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — We are continuing to follow a large protest on UNC Chapel Hill campus this week.
The UNC students joined a nationwide protest against Israel's war in Gaza.
If you walk to the middle of campus, you'll notice tall metal gates surrounding the flag pole. It covers the grassy area where protesters once removed the American flag and replaced it with a Palestine flag this week.
One student said he was just passing by and can't believe what unfolded.
"What I saw a couple of days ago was not okay, I saw students getting choked, beaten, and pepper sprayed. "I got pepper sprayed just by being around." Bennett Lasator said.
The university also closed Campus Y, a building students said served as a resource for the entire campus.
"They have a good coffee shop," student Allison said, "They have a food pantry so there's actual resources that people use."
While the university said it allows protests, officials said demonstrators need to follow the rules.
Some students said the backlash is too much.
"The only thing I want to say is Chancellor Robert's tear down this wall," student Brandon Loor said.
Tomorrow students plan to host another protest across the street from the university.
Some told us the decision to move off campus comes in fear of university administration retaliation.
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