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.

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Here's how the news is developing.
May 03, 2024, 2:06 AM EDT

30 arrested at Portland State University throughout the day: Police

Portland police say that at least 30 people have been arrested over their involvement in ongoing protests at Portland State University.

"Additional arrests have been made at PSU’s library after trespassers illegally entered the building again despite efforts to secure it," police said in their statement. "Preliminary count is 30 arrests over the course of the day. Officers will continue to monitor for criminal activity and will make arrests when lawful and appropriate."

Authorities say that officers encountered acts of vandalism, and one suspect deployed a fire extinguisher at an officer during an altercation.

"Seven officers suffered injuries, the most serious was a knee injury that required ambulance transport to the hospital. Other injuries are still being assessed or were minor," Portland police said.

The identities of those arrested will be released once a full list has been completed.

May 03, 2024, 1:55 AM EDT

USC says arrested student protesters will be referred to 'disciplinary process'

USC has sent an email to the arrested protesters on Thursday evening warning that any student protesters who have been arrested for their "alleged conduct" of criminal trespassing on April 24 will be “referred to the University’s disciplinary process.”

"Please be aware that any further violation of university policies - including but not limited to the university's policies against camping, amplified sound, defying DPS directives, vandalism, harassments, bullying, and theft of property - will result in further discipline up to expulsion as well as an immediate ban from campus," the email obtained by ABC News said.

May 02, 2024, 11:22 PM EDT

7 additional protesters arrested at Portland State University: Police

The Portland Police Bureau announced seven additional arrests were made Thursday evening amid ongoing protests at Portland State University.

The seven arrests came a couple of hours after PPB announced 22 people had been arrested on Thursday, bringing the total to 29 people arrested on Thursday.

PPB said the seven arrests were from "trespassers" breaking "back into the library" by pulling the fence down.

"Arrests have also been made for people refusing to leave the park block at the library," the bureau said in an update on X late Thursday evening.

May 02, 2024, 8:14 PM EDT

Police arrest 22 protesters at Portland State University

The Portland Police Bureau said 22 arrests have been made amid the ongoing protests at Portland State University.

"PPB has arrested a total of 22 people during the events on the PSU campus," the bureau said in an update on X Thursday.

Earlier in the day, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek released a statement condemning vandalism reported at the PSU Library.

“I fully condemn the criminal actions taken Thursday morning that resulted in the burning of 15 Portland Police Bureau cars, endangering first responders and the surrounding community," Kotek said, adding, "This includes the acts of vandalism seen this week at the Portland State University library and against nearby businesses."