College protests updates: Police begin dismantling University of Chicago encampment
Police entered the campus encampment early Tuesday, WLS reported.
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:
- Over 300 Harvard professors sign letter urging Harvard to negotiate with protesters
- Police begin dismantling encampment at University of Chicago
- MIT students ordered to leave campus encampment
- More than 60 arrests made at UC San Diego
- Harvard president threatens 'involuntary leave' for students who continue encampment
56 people arrested at New School, NYU
Fifty-six people have been arrested at The New School and New York University after the schools authorized police to clear encampments, according to the New York Police Department.
Forty-three people were arrested at The New School and 13 people where arrested at NYU, the NYPD said.
-ABC News' Aaron Katersky
NYU has authorized NYPD to clear encampment
NYU has requested assistance from the NYPD to "disperse the illegal encampment on their property."
"As per their request, we are on site and our officers will be assisting with the unparalleled professionalism embodied by our police officers," NYPD Deputy Commissioner, Operations Kaz Daughtry, said in a statement on social media.
30 arrested at Portland State University throughout the day: Police
Portland police say that at least 30 people have been arrested over their involvement in ongoing protests at Portland State University.
"Additional arrests have been made at PSU’s library after trespassers illegally entered the building again despite efforts to secure it," police said in their statement. "Preliminary count is 30 arrests over the course of the day. Officers will continue to monitor for criminal activity and will make arrests when lawful and appropriate."
Authorities say that officers encountered acts of vandalism, and one suspect deployed a fire extinguisher at an officer during an altercation.
"Seven officers suffered injuries, the most serious was a knee injury that required ambulance transport to the hospital. Other injuries are still being assessed or were minor," Portland police said.
The identities of those arrested will be released once a full list has been completed.
USC says arrested student protesters will be referred to 'disciplinary process'
USC has sent an email to the arrested protesters on Thursday evening warning that any student protesters who have been arrested for their "alleged conduct" of criminal trespassing on April 24 will be “referred to the University’s disciplinary process.”
"Please be aware that any further violation of university policies - including but not limited to the university's policies against camping, amplified sound, defying DPS directives, vandalism, harassments, bullying, and theft of property - will result in further discipline up to expulsion as well as an immediate ban from campus," the email obtained by ABC News said.
Columbia on authorizing NYPD to go on campus: 'We were left with no choice'
Columbia University has released a statement addressing its authorization to allow the NYPD on campus, saying the decision was "made to restore safety and order to our community."
In its statement, the university said after they learned protesters had entered Hamilton Hall last night and "occupied, vandalized, and blockaded" it, they were left with "no choice" but to allow the police in. The university also said in a statement that they believe "that the group that broke into and occupied the building is led by individuals who are not affiliated with the University."
"Columbia public safety personnel were forced out of the building, and a member of our facilities team was threatened. We will not risk the safety of our community or the potential for further escalation," the university's statement continued.
The university said in its statement the NYPD's presence is about the "actions of the protestors, not the cause they are championing."
"We have made it clear that the life of campus cannot be endlessly interrupted by protesters who violate the rules and the law," the statement read.
-ABC News' Joshua Hoyos