College protests updates: Police crackdown leads to hundreds of arrests
Hundreds were arrested at USC, Emerson and UT Austin in the last day.
ByABC NEWS
Last Updated: April 27, 2024, 2:51 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.
Arizona State University arrests 69 people, clears pro-Palestinian encampment
Arizona State University announced that campus police have arrested 69 people for trespassing after protesters refused to leave a pro-Palestinian encampment that the university says was "unauthorized."
"Encampments are prohibited on Arizona State University property. Lawful demonstrations can take place except overnight between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.," ASU said in a statement.
"A group of people – most of whom were not ASU students, faculty or staff – created an encampment and demonstration that continued until 11 p.m. when the group was instructed multiple times to disperse. Individuals who refused to leave after multiple warnings were arrested and charged with criminal trespass," ASU said.
Apr 27, 2024, 12:36 PM EDT
Northeastern University detains 100 protesters, removes encampment
Northeastern University has removed an encampment of pro-Palestinian protesters, with police detaining about 100 people. The university says students who produced valid Northeastern ID were released and will face disciplinary proceedings within the university.
"Earlier this morning the Northeastern University Police Department -- in cooperation with local law enforcement partners - began clearing an unauthorized encampment on the university's Boston campus. What began as a student demonstration two days ago was infiltrated by professional organizers with no affiliation to Northeastern. Last night, the use of virulent antisemitic slurs including "Kill the Jews," crossed the line. We cannot tolerate this kind of hate on our campus," the university said in a statement.
Pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrate in front of a police barricade after police raided an encampment at Northeastern University, in Boston, on April 27, 2024.
Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images
Pro-Palestinian protesters stand in front of a police barricade after police raided an encampment at Northeastern University, in Boston, on April 27, 2024.
Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images
The university added, "As part of clearing the site, approximately 100 individuals were detained by police. Students who produced valid Northeastern ID were released. They will face disciplinary proceedings within the university, not legal action. Those who refused to disclose their affiliation were arrested."
Massachusetts State Police said they responded to Northeastern's request for assistance removing protesters.
"Officers directed protesters to disperse and MSP members assisted in removing protesters who refused to leave. Approximately 102 protesters who refused to comply with orders to disperse were arrested and will be charged by NUPD with trespassing and disorderly conduct. They are being transported to the Suffolk County House of Correction to be booked and processed," MSP said in a statement.
Apr 27, 2024, 11:52 AM EDT
NYU students set up new encampment days after over 130 students, faculty arrested
New York University students set up a new pro-Palestinian encampment Friday, after over 130 students and faculty were arrested at an encampment earlier this week.
The protesters are calling on the university to divest and cut ties with Israel and companies profit from its onslaught on Gaza — including shutting down the NYU Tel Aviv campus and a boycott of Tel Aviv University. They are also calling for full amnesty for pro-Palestinian activism and for IOF-trained cops to leave campus.
"Despite the violent repression students have face, we will not back down. We have no reason to fear when Palestinians demonstrate their courage and resiliency in the face of far greater danger. Our fear has turned into resolve," the NYU Palestine Solidarity Coalition said in a statement Saturday.
Students, pro-Palestinian supporters, NYU security and faculty members attempt to block the view of the occupation of a plaza at the New York University (NYU) campus in New York, on April 27, 2024.
David Dee Delgado/Reuters
Students and pro-Palestinian supporters occupy a plaza at the New York University (NYU) campus in New York, on April 27, 2024.
David Dee Delgado/Reuters
Protesters say they were removed and arrests were made at a "100% peaceful" protest earlier this week, refuting the university's allegation that there was "antagonizing behavior" and a security breach caused it to invite New York police onto campus and make arrests, a representative for the NYU PSC told ABC News.
Protesters say they calmly entered the encampment after the university did not follow through on providing a timeline of when they would allow more students into the plaza, according to the student who was at the protest outside the encampment, but was not arrested.
Police started making arrests Monday after Muslim protesters began Maghreb prayer -- a daily Muslim prayer made during the sunset hour -- according to the student.
"Our peaceful protest was met with complete and utter violence green lighted by our university president and her administration," the student, who asked that ABC News conceal their identity for safety, said.
Students rally outside of their second "Gaza Solidarity Encampment" at New York University, on April 26, 2024, in New York.
Derek French/Shutterstock
The university pushed back against the protester's account, saying "there is no right to create encampments of tents on the University's property."
"Despite repeatedly being told no additional protesters would be permitted on the plaza - early on Monday afternoon protesters on West 4th Street breached the barricades we had set up, nearly doubling the number of people on the plaza, with hundreds of additional demonstrators in the street," NYU said in a statement to ABC News.
"Those on the plaza urged them onwards and that Campus Safety Officers were shoved and forced out of the way by people attempting to gain entry to the plaza," NYU said.
-ABC News' Nadine El-Bawab
Apr 26, 2024, 11:17 PM EDT
Columbia's University Senate calls for investigation into administration
The Columbia University Senate is set to establish a task force to investigate the school's administration after their actions, or lack thereof, have divided the university community, the University Senate announced Friday.
The senate alleges the university jeopardized academic freedom by threatening "faculty job security," breached privacy and due process by disregarding "privacy and due process rights of individual students and faculty members."
The Senate also accuses the university of creating a violation of shared governance principles.
"The decision by the University administration to call for police intervention on campus, after the Senate Executive Committee told the administration that the Executive Committee did 'not approve the presence of NYPD on our campus at this time,' has raised serious concerns about the administration’s respect for shared governance and transparency in the University’s decision-making process," the statement read.
Actions by the university and its administration showed "little respect for clearly established protocols," the Senate said.