In a nationwide display of solidarity with Palestinians, students at universities across the United States have set up encampments and demonstrated, resulting in hundreds of arrests and significant campus disruptions. The wave of activism has been met with a mix of support for First Amendment rights and concerns over campus safety and allegations of antisemitism.
Protests initially ignited at Columbia University in response to the conflict in Gaza and have since spread to notable institutions including Yale University, Harvard University, the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin), the University of Southern California (USC), and many others. These student-led protests are primarily calling for the divestment of university funds from Israeli military operations. However, they have also been described by some Jewish students as breeding grounds for antisemitism, leaving them fearful for their safety.
USC, Emerson College, and UT Austin have seen significant confrontations between protesters and law enforcement. At Emerson, after a pro-Palestinian encampment was established, Boston Police arrested 108 individuals and reported four officers suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Classes at the institution were subsequently canceled. USC has canceled its main graduation ceremony, citing new safety measures and substantial increases in processing time for large crowds as reasons.
Protesters at the University of Texas at Austin were asked to leave the campus’s South Mall at 10 p.m. local time, university spokesperson Brian Davis told CNN. “No arrests have been made as of 10 p.m.,” Davis said. “There is no curfew on campus. Leadership asked that students clear the South Mall at 10 p.m.” Just last night, more than 30 demonstrators were arrested after UT Austin police issued a dispersal at the school.
Demonstrators at Ohio State University were arrested on Thursday night after refusing to disperse, according to university spokesperson Benjamin Johnson. Johnson did not know how many arrests were made. “Well established university rules prohibit camping and overnight events. Demonstrators exercised their first amendment rights for several hours and were then instructed to disperse. Individuals who refused to leave after multiple warnings were arrested and charged with criminal trespass,” he said.
Relevant articles:
– College protests live updates: Hundreds arrested at pro-Palestinian encampments, ABC News, 04/26/2024
– 108 arrested, 4 officers hurt as encampment cleared at Emerson, WCVB Boston, Thu, 25 Apr 2024 17:55:00 GMT
– College protests live updates: Hundreds arrested as universities crack down on pro-Palestinian encampments, ABC News, Thu, 25 Apr 2024 20:37:30 GMT
– Palestinian protests at USC, Columbia University, college campuses nationwide, CNN, Thu, 25 Apr 2024 19:22:00 GMT
– Pro-Palestinian protests spread as hundreds arrested at Emory University, Emerson College and elsewhere across the U.S. Here’s what’s happening., Yahoo! Voices, Thu, 25 Apr 2024 20:27:15 GMT