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 05, 2024, 10:33 AM EDT

No arrests made in clearing of USC protest encampment: Official

A pro-Palestinian tent encampment on the University of Southern California campus was cleared out and dismantled Sunday morning without any arrests being made, university officials said.

Joel Curran, a spokesperson for USC, said in a statement that the encampment, established by protesters 12 days ago, was "peacefully" taken down.

A person protests in front of a police officer after police arrived on the campus at the University of Southern California to clear an encampment set up by pro-Palestinian demonstrators, May 5, 2024, in Los Angeles.
Ryan Sun/AP

“Earlier today, the University of Southern California Department of Public Safety (DPS) successfully removed the illegal encampment rebuilt on the university’s campus. It was necessary to request the Los Angeles Police Department to respond to provide security as this was carried out peacefully," Curran said. "No arrests have been reported. We want to thank LAPD for assisting DPS in clearing the encampment and restoring normalcy for students and community as quickly and safely as possible. We will share more information with our community later today.”

-ABC News' Tristan Maglunog

May 05, 2024, 9:52 AM EDT

USC says encampment has been cleared

The University of Southern California said the encampment at University Park Campus has been cleared and the campus remains closed.

May 05, 2024, 9:05 AM EDT

USC protest encampment being cleared: Police

A pro-Palestinian encampment on the campus of the University of Southern California was being cleared Sunday morning as campus police warned protesters to leave or be arrested.

The announcement came as the USC Department of Public Safety closed the campus "as a result of significant activity at the center of campus."

"If you are in the center of campus, please leave. People who don’t leave will be arrested. We will issue another alert when it is clear to return," the DPS said on X.

The campus police said officers from the Los Angeles Police Department are assisting in "clearing the center" of the University Park Campus.

Sunday's action came after USC President Carol Folt sent an email to the school's community, saying "steps would be taken to ensure a quiet and safe environment for students to complete their finals."

“[L]et me be absolutely clear: free speech and assembly do not include the right to obstruct equal access to campus, damage property, or foment harassment, violence, and threats,” Folt said. “Nor is anyone entitled to obstruct the normal functions of our university, including commencement."

-ABC News' Cory Peeler

May 04, 2024, 11:50 PM EDT

25 arrested at University of Virginia after police clash with protesters

Authorities arrested 25 protesters at the University of Virginia for trespassing on Saturday, according to the university's communications office.

PHOTO: Police Move In To Disperse Protester Encampment At University Of Virginia
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA - MAY 04: Heavily armed police arrests a protester on university grounds after the police declared an unlawful gathering to disperse protesters encampment on the grounds of the University of Virginia . on May 4, 2024 in Charlottesville, Virginia. Pro-Palestinian encampments have sprung up at college campuses around the country with some demonstrators calling for schools to divest from Israeli interests amid the ongoing war in Gaza. (Photo by Eze Amos/Getty Images)
Eze Amos/Getty Images

The school said it was still awaiting confirmation on how many of those arrested were affiliated with UVA.