College protests updates: Police begin dismantling University of Chicago encampment

Police entered the campus encampment early Tuesday, WLS reported.

ByNadine El-Bawab, Bill Hutchinson, and Julia Reinstein
Last Updated: May 7, 2024, 2:01 PM EDT

Protests have broken out at colleges and universities across the country in connection with the war in Gaza.

Many pro-Palestinian protesters are calling for their colleges to divest of funds from Israeli military operations, while some Jewish students on the campuses have called the protests antisemitic and said they are scared for their safety.

The student protests -- some of which have turned into around-the-clock encampments -- have erupted throughout the nation following arrests and student removals at Columbia University in New York City. Students at schools including Yale University, New York University, Harvard University, University of Texas at Austin, University of Southern California and more have launched protests.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing.
May 01, 2024, 6:49 AM EDT

Campus police deploy 'chemical irritant' at University of Arizona

Campus police officers at the University of Arizona in Tucson shot "chemical irritant" munitions at a gathering of protesters early Wednesday, the department said.

The university's president, Robert C. Robbins, had asked the campus police and school officials to "immediately enforce campus use policies and all corresponding laws," according to a statement from his office.

Police and protesters clash at the University of Arizona in Tucson on May 1, 2024.
KGUN

The Tucson Police Department and other law enforcement agencies also responded to campus, the university said.

Campus officers closed several blocks of Park Avenue as they responded to the "unlawful assembly," the department said.

Police and protesters clash at the University of Arizona in Tucson on May 1, 2024.
KGUN

Video appeared to show police handcuffing individuals on the ground and protesters forming a human chain facing officers.

"Police deploying chemical irritant munitions," the department said amid a series of updates on social media. "Follow orders of police and disperse immediately. Avoid the area of University Blvd & Park Ave."

-ABC News' Amanda Morris and Kevin Shalvey

May 01, 2024, 6:07 AM EDT

UCLA officials 'sickened' by violence on campus, chancellor says

As groups of counter-protesters clashed with Pro-Palestinian demonstrators on the UCLA campus early Wednesday, a university official said staff were “sickened” by the violence.

“Horrific acts of violence occurred at the encampment tonight and we immediately called law enforcement for mutual aid support,” Mary Osaka, a vice chancellor, said in a statement.

Counter-protesters stand near an encampment of protesters in support of Palestinians in Gaza on the campus of the University of California Los Angeles on May 1, 2024.
David Swanson/Reuters

Protesters stand near an encampment in support of Palestinians in Gaza on the campus of the University of California Los Angeles on May 1, 2024.
Etienne Laurent/AFP via Getty Images

Osaka aded that the fire department and medical responders were near the scene.

"We are sickened by this senseless violence and it must end,” she said.

-ABC News’ Bonnie Mclean and Kevin Shalvey

May 01, 2024, 6:05 AM EDT

At least 100 arrested at 2 NY campuses, NYPD says

The New York Police Department made at least 100 arrests overnight, with most at Columbia University. Arrests were also made at City College of New York, officials said.

Many of those taken into custody are still being processed at police headquarters.

-ABC News’ Aaron Katersky

May 01, 2024, 5:32 AM EDT

Protesters clash on UCLA campus, LAPD responds

Clashes between opposing groups of protesters at the University of California Los Angeles included "multiple acts of violence," prompting university officials to ask police to enter the campus, the Los Angeles Police Department said.

Officers responded to assist campus police "to restore order and maintain public safety," the LAPD said.

A pro-Palestinian demonstrator is beaten by counter protesters attacking a pro-Palestinian encampment set up on the campus of the University of California Los Angeles as clashes erupt, in Los Angeles on May 1, 2024.
Etienne Laurent/AFP via Getty Images

State and local politicians said they were monitoring the situation, with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass calling the violence "absolutely abhorrent and inexcusable."

Counter-protesters attempt to move a barricade amidst clashes with protesters in support of Palestinians in Gaza at an encampment on the campus of the University of California Los Angeles on May 1, 2024.
David Swanson/Reuters

Gov. Gavin Newsom said his office had been in contact with law enforcement leadership.

-ABC News' Bonnie Mclean, Amanda Morris and Kevin Shalvey