College protests updates: Police begin dismantling University of Chicago encampment

New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Sunday defended the police crackdown on college campus protests that have broken out in America's largest city.

"When those protests reach the point of violence, we have to ensure that we use a minimum amount of force to terminate what is perceived to be a threat," " Adams told ABC News "This Week" co-anchor Jonathan Karl.

Adams added that the police intervention resulted from days of communication between the police and school officials.

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'We cannot take this lightly’: Eric Adams on campus protests

ABC News’ Jonathan Karl interviews New York City Mayor Eric Adams on “This Week.”

ABCNews.com

"We knew we had to get permission unless there's imminent threat to life, or severe threat to property," he said, adding, "We were not going to overstep our legal authority."

When pressed by Karl about criticism, including from some other Democrats, that the response to protesters was disproportionate given that they were largely nonviolent, Adams said, "One has the right to have his or her opinion, and I respect that. ... And I have an obligation and responsibility to ensure the city is safe."

-ABC News' Kristina Abovyan

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.

“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

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

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