ST. LOUIS (AP) -- A prolonged sit-in at Saint Louis University to protest police shootings has the private Jesuit school struggling to balance a commitment to social justice and free speech with growing safety concerns among some students.

Hundreds of protesters first arrived early Monday, several hours after an interfaith rally at the school’s Chaifetz Arena. The event was part of the four-day Ferguson October demonstrations to protest the early August shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown, who was unarmed when killed by a Ferguson police officer, and other killings of young black men by white officers.

By Friday, a small group of protesters with tents, donated food and other supplies remained at an encampment next to a campus clock tower. Group members said they had no immediate plans to leave.

“We didn’t come here by permission,” said Talal Ahmad, of north St. Louis. “This is an institution of privilege. It’s a bubble.”