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Updated 04/11/2009 10:26 AM

More Arrests, Controversy From Second New School Protest

By: NY1 News

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There is some controversy today over the way protests at the New School were handled by police yesterday.

More people are also facing charges following a second protest last night.

Police arrested 22 people yesterday morning after a student group called "New School In Exile" took over one of the school's buildings. Nineteen were charged with burglary, riot, and criminal mischief, while the other three are charged with assault.

The New York Police Department and protestors are presenting different views of how officers handled the arrests.

Protestors say police were too aggressive in their enforcement, and posted an amateur video of a man being arrested down the block from the school as proof.

The NYPD released its own video showing police entering the school and say it proves officers responded peacefully.

The students who occupied the school say they want New School's President Bob Kerrey and Vice President James Murtha to resign.

Protestors say they are unhappy with the way the school has been run, claiming they've been shut out of conversations regarding university policies for the last eight years.

"We've got to get the message out to the university administration that what they're doing is not going to be tolerated and large amounts of students and supporters from around the city are witnessing what they're doing is a complete disgrace," said student Andy Folk.

A protest last night in Union Square ended when police stopped demonstrators from marching to Kerrey's house.

Police say two people are charged with riot, reckless endangerment, and menacing.

Students held a similar protest at the school back in December.

The New School calls yesterday's protest illegal and suspended the students involved.