College protests updates: Police crackdown leads to hundreds of arrests

Columbia University sent a message to the community late Thursday night, saying discussions with student protesters are "ongoing."
"The talks have shown progress and are continuing as planned," Columbia said in its message.

"For several days, a small group of faculty, administrators, and University Senators have been in dialogue with student organizers to discuss the basis for dismantling the encampment, dispersing, and following University policies going forward," the message continued. "We have our demands; they have theirs. A formal process is underway and continues."

-ABC News' Ahmad Hemingway

Georgia's Department of Public Service said they used a Taser and pepper balls as they attempted to control the crowd of protesters at Emory University but did not use tear gas.

DPS released an accounting of their response on campus just a short while ago.

"On April 25, 2024, at 8:30 am, the Emory Police Department and Atlanta Police Department requested the assistance of DPS with an encampment protest at Emory University. Georgia State Troopers and Motor Carrier Officers responded to break up the encampment but were met with protestors who threw bottles and refused to leave," the statement began.

"As Troopers and Officers began to take the protestors into custody, one actively resisted arrest," DPS said, noting they used a Taser on the individual as they "continued to resist."

DPS said during its response to the encampment, "Troopers deployed pepper balls to control the unruly crowd but did not use tear gas."

Charges are being handled by the Emory Police Department, DPS said.

-ABC News' Darren Reynolds

Cheryl Elliott, Emory University's vice president for public safety, provided an update to the school community on the incident that took place between police and pro-Palestinian protesters.

Elliot addressed the viral video of officers using a stun gun on one of the protesters when the encampment was dispersed and said the person in the video did not appear to be affiliated with Emory.

"Based on current information, this individual is not a member of the Emory community," Elliot said.

Elliot said, "Due to the direct assault of officers, law enforcement released chemical irritants into the ground to assist with crowd control."

Twenty-eight people were arrested during the incident, 20 of whom were affiliated with the university, according to Elliot.

"We are working with responding agencies to expedite the release of any Emory community members who remain in custody," she said in her letter to the Emory community.

-ABC News' Cherise Rudy

Columbia University said it is enhancing security along the campus' perimeter after it was made aware of several "potentially significant" protests planned outside the gates of its Manhattan campus Thursday evening.

The New York City Police Department is adding officers "to maintain safety" and people are being asked to avoid the area, the university said in a message to the school community. The protests are expected to start around 6 p.m. ET., it said.

The campus remains restricted to Columbia University ID holders.

The university is in formal discussions with student protesters regarding dismantling an encampment on campus, a university spokesperson said.