Pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protesters clashed at the University of California in Los Angeles, UCLA, this Wednesday (1st). At Columbia University and City College, more than 100 people were arrested on Tuesday night (30).
Police in riot gear entered Columbia University's Hamilton Hall and used stun grenades as they stormed the building, where pro-Palestinian protesters had barricaded themselves.
Less than two hours after officers entered the school's Morningside Heights campus, Columbia University property was cleared.
Columbia has asked the New York Police Department to remain on campus until May 17, two days after the graduation ceremony, but protesters remain defiant.
The institution of higher education has been the epicenter, but protests are roiling universities across the country.
Situation at US universities
University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA)
The Los Angeles Police Department “arrived on campus” from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), Mayor Karen Bass said this Wednesday morning.
“The violence unfolding tonight at UCLA is absolutely abominable and inexcusable,” said the mayor in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
The violence unfolding this evening at UCLA is absolutely abhorrent and inexcusable.
LAPD has arrived on campus.
— Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) May 1, 2024
Before the deployment, pro-Palestinian protesters and Israel supporters clashed at UCLA, according to multiple reports.
Video from KABC, an affiliate of CNN shows fireworks and objects being thrown, as well as demonstrations of physical violence among protesters.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
At least 36 protesters were detained in a camp. Police officers were seen physically pushing protesters, who removed the U.S. flag on campus and replaced it with a Palestinian flag.
Florida State University
Five people, including two students, were arrested during a demonstration on Tuesday, the university said.
University of Texas-Austin
The police presence on campus and the arrests are “straining” law enforcement resources, said Travis County District Attorney Delia Garza, who called on the university to enter into an agreement with organizers of the student protests.
Almost 80 people were arrested on campus on Monday (29) and Garza's office is prosecuting at least 65 cases of criminal invasion said the prosecutor.
University of Southern California
President Carol Folt held a second meeting with protesters on campus, but no agreement was reached.
Occupied buildings and security
The president of Portland State University, Ann Cudd, asked students to voluntarily leave the library they occupy and said the university is in contact with police about removing the students.
Cleared camps
Some universities, including Yale and Brown, have released protest camps after reaching agreements with students.
Protesters at Brown University reached an agreement to dismantle their camp after the university agreed to hold a vote on divestment from companies that support Israel.
PHOTOS – Police invade Columbia University
Source: CNN Brasil
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