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.
2 arrests made as police empty library occupied by Portland State University protesters
Portland police have arrested two people outside the Portland State University campus library, as they move to clear the building, which was occupied by protesters. Police said they encountered "barricades" as they entered the building.
Police arrest a pro-Palestinian protester who ran from the occupied Portland State University Library building, during the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Portland, Ore., May 2, 2024.
Jan Sonnenmair/Reuters
Individuals remaining in the building are under arrest for second-degree trespassing, police announced Thursday. The area surrounding the library has been closed off.
Police also warned that anyone resisting arrest could have force used against them and be subject to more criminal charges.
May 02, 2024, 11:34 AM EDT
Biden says free speech and rule of law 'must be upheld'
President Joe Biden addressed the nation on Thursday saying that free speech and the rule of law must both be upheld.
"We are not an authoritarian nation where we silence people or squash dissent, the American people are heard. In fact, peaceful protest is the best tradition of how Americans respond to controversial issues," Biden said, speaking from the White House.
But, he condemned the destruction of property, shutting down campuses and forcing the cancelation of classes and graduation, saying it isn't peaceful protest.
"Dissent is essential to democracy, but dissent must never lead to disorder or to denying the rights of others so students can finish the semester and their college education," Biden said.
President Joe Biden speaks about the protests over Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, May 2, 2024, in Washington.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
Biden last commented on college protests on April 22 -- before there was an escalation of suspension and arrests at campuses across the country -- at the time condemning antisemitic actions and those who don't understand the plight of Palestinians in Gaza, a message he reiterated Thursday.
"There is no place for hate speech or violence of any kind whether it's anti-Semitism, islamophobia or discrimination against Arab Americans or Palestinian Americans. It’s simply wrong. There’s no place for racism in America," Biden said.
May 02, 2024, 11:22 AM EDT
Biden says protests have not pushed him to reconsider policies
President Joe Biden, making his first remarks on the surge in protests on college campuses, said the protests have not pushed him to reconsider his policies in the region.
"Mr. President, have the protests forced you to reconsider our policies?" a reporter asked Biden Thursday.
"No," Biden said, before walking away from the podium.
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.
