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 02, 2024, 10:53 AM EDT

At least 132 arrested at UCLA protests

At least 132 people were arrested on Thursday in protests at UCLA according to California Highway Patrol.

A California Highway Patrol officer detains a protester while clearing a pro-Palestinian encampment after dispersal orders were given at the UCLA campus, on May 2, 2024, in Los Angeles.
Mario Tama/Getty Images

May 02, 2024, 10:32 AM EDT

More than 70% of Columbia protesters arrested Tuesday were affiliated with university: NYPD

Thirty-two of the people arrested at Columbia University on Tuesday were not affiliated with the school, while 80 people were affiliated, based on a preliminary background analysis by the New York Police Department.

At City College of New York, 102 people arrested Tuesday night were not affiliated with the university, while 68 people were affiliated, based on the NYPD analysis.

-ABC News' Aaron Katersky

May 02, 2024, 10:23 AM EDT

University of Minnesota strikes agreement to end encampment

The University of Minnesota has reached an agreement to end the student-led encampment on campus.

The university will reopen previously closed buildings and the student coalition has pledged not to organize disruptions during final exams and the commencement ceremony.

A white banner that says UMN Divest Solidarity Encampment is next to a sign that says Divest from Palestine at an encampment and pro-Palestinian protest at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minn., on Tuesday, April 30, 2024.
Trisha Ahmed/AP

Representatives of the student coalition will be given the opportunity to address the Board of Regents at its May 10 meeting over its call for a divestment, students will receive amnesty for their encampment, and the university will also explore an affiliation with Palestinian universities, hosting scholars at risk.

"Our meetings have been grounded in listening, learning, and respect, and I believe they were a very positive first step in reaching mutual understanding. Though the original meeting was scheduled for 30 minutes yesterday, we engaged in constructive conversation for more than 90 minutes. We then met two more times to discuss the proposed agreements," University of Minnesota interim President Jeff Ettinger said in a statement.

"We regret that these meetings did not happen sooner, and have committed to regular meetings moving forward to continue to discuss this coalition’s concerns," Ettinger said.

Ettinger also highlighted that the university supports freedom of expression as a fundamental part of its mission.

"While we do not condone tactics that are outside of our policies, we appreciate student leaders’ willingness to engage in dialogue. I value the challenging and healthy conversations we’ve had," Ettinger said.

May 02, 2024, 7:33 AM EDT

Police begin arresting UCLA protesters

Officers began arresting protesters on the University of California Los Angeles campus early Thursday, detaining some with their hands zip-tied behind their backs.

Law enforcement officers detain a protester at the University of California Los Angeles in Los Angeles, California, May 2, 2024.
Mike Blake/Reuters

Law enforcement officers detain a protester at the University of California Los Angeles in Los Angeles, California, U.S., May 2, 2024.
Mike Blake/Reuters

Those who were detained appeared to have been moving willingly with officers, ABC News station KABC reported.

As law enforcement moved into the encampment, some of the protesters began chanting, repeating the phrase "Shame on you" in chorus.

-ABC News' Jenna Harrison and Kevin Shalvey