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 07, 2024, 6:59 AM EDT

Police begin dismantling encampment at University of Chicago

Police entered an encampment at the University of Chicago early Tuesday and began dismantling it, according to Chicago ABC station WLS.

Protesters face off with police at an encampment at the University of Chicago, Tuesday, May 7, 2024.
WLS

May 06, 2024, 10:30 PM EDT

LAPD detective to assist UCLA investigation into attack on protesters

UCLA's Chancellor Gene Block said Monday that a detective from the LAPD will join the school's investigation to identify those who were involved in violence against pro-Palestinian protesters on campus last week.

The law enforcement investigation at UCLA is being led by Associate Chancellor and Chief Safety Officer Rick Braziel. Its goal is to "identify the perpetrators of the violence and hold them to account," Block said in a note to the community.

Block said that they have reached out to the FBI for "possible assistance," as well as Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón over prosecution.

May 06, 2024, 7:33 PM EDT

MIT protesters resist leaving encampment on campus

Protesters at Massachusetts Institute of Technology are resisting orders to leave the encampment on Monday.

Footage from the scene shows protesters toppling the barriers, surrounding the encampment and linking arms.

Protesters at Massachusetts Institute of Technology seen resisting orders to leave the encampment on Monday, May 6, 2024.
WCVB

This comes after MIT President Sally Kornbluth gave students until 2:30 p.m. ET to leave the encampment on campus.

The encampment on MIT's campus, on the Kresge lawn, has been ongoing for more than two weeks, according to Kornbluth.

May 06, 2024, 4:35 PM EDT

MIT students ordered to leave campus encampment

In a message to the campus community Monday, Massachusetts Institute of Technology President Sally Kornbluth gave students until 2:30 p.m. to leave the encampment on campus.

However, protesters remained in the area until after the deadline. It's unclear if police will move in and make arrests.

Protesters at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology were told to clear out their encampment Monday, May 6, 2024, generating further demonstration.
WCVB

"In short, this prolonged use of MIT property as a venue for protest, without permission, especially on an issue with such sharp disagreement, is no longer safely sustainable," Kornbluth said.

The encampment on MIT’s campus, on the Kresge lawn, has been ongoing for more than two weeks, according to Kornbluth.