Protests erupt at colleges and universities nationwide in response to the war in Gaza.
Pro-Palestinian activists are urging their colleges to divest funds from Israeli military operations, eliciting concerns from Jewish students who view these protests as antisemitic and fear for their own safety.
Student protests have been sweeping across the nation in response to arrests and student removals at Columbia University in New York City. This has led to demonstrations at various other universities including Yale University, New York University, Harvard University, University of Texas at Austin, University of Southern California, and many more. Some of these protests have even escalated into 24-hour encampments.
Latest Developments
According to the Texas Department of Safety, a total of 34 individuals have been arrested at the University of Texas at Austin by 9 p.m. local time.
University President Jay Hartzell stated on Wednesday evening that the University remained steadfast in upholding its regulations while also safeguarding individuals’ Constitutional right to free speech. He emphasized that peaceful protests conducted within the boundaries of the University’s rules were deemed acceptable.
“We do not tolerate the violation of our rules and policies, as well as the interference with others’ learning experience. The group responsible for organizing this protest openly declared their intent to defy the Institutional Rules. It is crucial to emphasize that our rules hold significant importance, and we will take necessary action to ensure their enforcement. Let it be clear that our University will not be subject to occupation.”
According to Hartzell, the Office of the Dean of Students has been actively promoting the exercise of freedom of speech and civil discourse. They have been providing opportunities for protests to take place while adhering to the established rules.
The dispersal order concluded just after 9 p.m., and Austin Police declared the campus to be “all clear” on X.
Dispersal order issued at USC amid protests
Protests over the Israel-Hamas war at the University of Southern California have led campus police to issue a dispersal order.
A group of 50 protesters continues to occupy Alumni Park on campus, despite the presence of LAPD officers and the dispersal of most of the crowd.
The Department of Public Safety at the university issued an update on Wednesday evening, urging individuals in the center of the campus to vacate the area. According to their statement, the LAPD will be apprehending individuals who fail to disperse.
House Speaker calls on Columbia president to resign if she can’t control protests
During his visit to Columbia University, House Speaker Mike Johnson, along with his New York House Republican colleagues, urged the school’s president, Minouche Shafik, to step down unless she can address what he perceives as her mishandling of the anti-Israel protests on campus.
Johnson called for Shafik’s resignation during the news conference held on the university’s campus, stating that she should step down “if she is unable to promptly restore order to this chaotic situation.”
Speaker of the House, Johnson, made a firm commitment that the Congress will not remain silent while Jewish students are forced to live in fear and refrain from participating in their daily activities.
The news conference was quite chaotic, with Johnson and other House Republicans facing constant booing and heckling from the crowd. Their words were often overshadowed by the loud shouting from the audience.
According to Columbia spokesman Ben Chang, Shafik and the university administration, who had a meeting with Johnson on Wednesday, are determined to prioritize the safety of the campus community and resolve the encampment issue.
USC updates community on protest, campus shutdown
In an update concerning the ongoing situation on campus, Andrew T. Guzman, the provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs at the University of Southern California, has addressed the school’s students, faculty, and other members through a letter.
According to Guzman, the university strongly supports freedom of expression and ensures that every member of the community has the right to express themselves. However, he also pointed out that there are established policies in place that outline the boundaries and guidelines for free expression in terms of time, location, and manner.
Guzman explained that the decision to close the campus was prompted by a clash between protestors and security personnel near the Doheny Library. The security team had requested the protestors, who were mostly not associated with USC, to vacate the area and dismantle their tents. However, the protestors defied these instructions, leading to the escalation of the situation.
According to Guzman, their actions have reached a level where they are directly confronting and endangering the safety of our officers and the campus community.
According to Guzman, access to campus, attending classes, and participating in activities will be limited to individuals with USC identification or those with a verifiable business purpose until further notice.
During these difficult times, we urge the members of our Trojan Family to keep in mind that every individual in our community deserves respect and has the right to feel safe on campus. They should be able to attend classes and engage in other activities without the fear of being harassed or bullied. It is of utmost importance for all of us to prioritize treating one another with kindness and care.
Columbia administrators deny rumors of National Guard deployment
Columbia University President Minouche Shafik and administrators have expressed their commitment to prioritizing the safety of the campus community and resolving the encampment issue. According to a school spokesperson, this assurance came after their meeting with House Speaker Mike Johnson.
According to Ben Chang, the vice president of the Office of Public Affairs, the encampment on the west lawn has sparked significant safety concerns. However, the university has been engaged in ongoing discussions with students to bring an end to it, and Chang is confident that these conversations will yield positive results.
He dismissed rumors that the National Guard would get involved and labeled those reports as false and “unsubstantiated.” Chang confirmed that the university has been in touch with the NYPD and will maintain communication in the future.
According to Chang, the university will need to explore “alternative options” to resolve the encampment before graduation.
According to the official, the protesters have already agreed to take down “a substantial number” of tents, and currently, only Columbia students will be participating in the encampment.
As of now, only individuals with a Columbia ID will be allowed access to the Morningside campus, according to Chang.
At least 20 arrested at UT Austin
According to the University of Texas at Austin, the school has reported that at least 20 individuals have been arrested.
According to a statement from the UT Division of Student Affairs, UT Austin is not tolerant of any disruptions to campus activities or operations, similar to what has been observed at other campuses. The university emphasizes the significance of this time in the semester, with students completing classes and preparing for finals. As a result, UT Austin will prioritize ensuring that these crucial functions can proceed without any interruptions.
The Palestine Solidarity Committee received a letter from the Office of the Dean of Students at the University of Texas at Austin, stating that the protest was prohibited from taking place.
The letter, obtained by ABC News, stated that the event “Popular University for Gaza,” organized by the Palestine Solidarity Committee student organization, has expressed its intention to defy our policies and rules and disrupt campus operations. It emphasized that such disruptions are strictly prohibited, and particularly detrimental as students are currently gearing up for the end of the semester and final exams. Consequently, the event will not be allowed to proceed as scheduled.
White House condemns antisemitism, defends free speech on college campuses
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre spoke about the current student protests occurring at Columbia University and other colleges nationwide.
Jean-Pierre reaffirmed the administration’s strong denunciation of antisemitism during the daily press briefing.
When questioned about House Speaker Mike Johnson’s statement urging the president of Columbia University to step down, Jean-Pierre declined to provide a comment, stating, “Columbia is a private institution.”
“This is a moment filled with profound pain for numerous communities, and we fully comprehend that. However, the president recognizes the significance of engaging in discussions about free speech and promoting inclusivity on college campuses. These are fundamental values that hold great importance in the American context,” Jean-Pierre expressed.
USC closes campus to public as protesters clash with police
The University of Southern California has announced that it will temporarily close its campus to the public due to a demonstration taking place at the center of the main campus. In a post on X, the university stated that this decision was made in order to ensure the safety and security of its students, faculty, and staff.
USC has announced that due to security measures, the gates on campus are now closed. As a result, individuals who wish to enter the campus must be prepared to present their identification at the gates. This requirement applies to both students attending classes and individuals visiting for business purposes. USC is committed to ensuring the safety and security of its campus community.
USC pro-Palestinian rally turns chaotic after police confront protesters: KABC
According to KABC, a list of demands has been issued by dozens of students and others, which includes the university’s divestment. These demands mirror those made by students on other campuses.
According to KABC, USC police officers initiated the process of dismantling the encampment, which included tents and signs. Later on, the Los Angeles Police Department officers also joined in to assist with the operation.
Pro-Palestinian students at Harvard University defied the university’s closure of Harvard Yard by setting up an encampment on Wednesday, which will remain in place until Friday.
Harvard University students begin encampment in Harvard Yard
The encampment follows the suspension of the Harvard Palestine Solidarity Committee, a student group on campus that has been.
Amid ongoing debates on college campuses regarding the war, the ACLU of Massachusetts, the group’s representative, has demanded the university to lift the suspension.
In an Instagram statement released on Wednesday, students and student workers announced their encampment and called for the university to divest. They accused the university of continuously suppressing voices within its community that speak out against the actions of the Israeli state and advocate for the rights of the Palestinian people.
According to the statement, the group is calling for the university to drop all charges against students involved in organizing and activism, as well as commit to ending the use of disciplinary policy as a means of punishment.