Dozens of protesters at Columbia University in New York took over a building early Tuesday, barricading the entrances and unfurling a Palestinian flag in a demonstration against the Israel-Hamas war. The protesters demanded divestment, financial transparency, and amnesty from the university, and planned to remain until their demands were met. This protest is part of a larger movement at universities nationwide where demonstrators are clashing over the Israel-Hamas conflict and arrests have been reaching nearly 1,000 as the academic year wraps up.
Universities are facing challenges in clearing out encampments as commencement ceremonies approach, with some continuing negotiations and others resorting to force. Clashes with police have resulted in arrests at campuses in Texas, Utah, and Virginia. Jewish students have raised concerns that the protests have veered into antisemitism, causing fear among some students to even set foot on campus. The protests have forced colleges to confront their financial ties to Israel and support for free speech.
At the University of Texas at Austin, at least 40 demonstrators were arrested, escalating tensions on the campus where more than 50 protesters were arrested the previous week. In Utah, police in riot gear broke up an encampment outside the university president’s office, resulting in 17 arrests. The issue of suspensions and legal records affecting students’ futures has become central to the protests, with demands for amnesty growing among students and faculty.
Columbia University is facing federal complaints over its handling of the demonstrations. A class-action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of Jewish students alleging a breach of contract and demanding a safe learning environment. Meanwhile, a legal group representing pro-Palestinian students is urging the U.S. Department of Education’s civil rights office to investigate Columbia’s compliance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Northwestern University reached an agreement with students and faculty to allow peaceful demonstrations through the end of spring classes.
At the University of Southern California, protesters sat down with the university president for discussions, following a controversy where the valedictorian was not allowed to make a commencement speech due to security concerns. USC’s actions sparked an encampment and protests on campus where 90 people were arrested by police. Administrators at various universities have tried to clear encampments with threats of discipline and possible arrest, but standoffs continue at high-profile institutions. Police in riot gear at Virginia Commonwealth University also attempted to break up an encampment late Monday, resulting in clashes with protesters.
