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.


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Students at Rutgers University agree to end protest peacefully

The protest at Rutgers University over the Israel-Hamas war ended peacefully, the university chancellor said in a statement Thursday afternoon.

"We are pleased to report that these students have agreed to peacefully end their protest," Chancellor Francine Conway, Ph.D. said.

The deadline for students to leave the Voorhees Mall encampment was 4:00 p.m. local time.

Conway noted that the protesters' request for the university to "divest from companies engaged in Israel and to sever ties with Tel Aviv University" falls outside of the administration’s scope, however, the "divestment request is under review."


209 arrested at UCLA after protesters resisted orders to disperse

At least 209 people were arrested at UCLA after protesters resisted orders to disperse early Thursday, the LA sheriff's department has confirmed. Another 300 protesters voluntarily left campus, according to UCLA.

"Several days of violent clashes between demonstrators and counter-demonstrators put too many Bruins in harm’s way and created an environment that was completely unsafe for learning," UCLA Chancellor Gene D. Block said in a statement.

"Over the past several days, we communicated with and made a formal request to meet with demonstration leaders to discuss options for a peaceful and voluntary disbanding of the encampment. Unfortunately, that meeting did not lead to an agreement," UCLA said.

Block said the last week has been among the most painful periods the UCLA community has ever experienced.

"We will also continue to investigate the violent incidents of the past several days, especially Tuesday night’s horrific attack by a mob of instigators. When physical violence broke out that night, leadership immediately directed our UCPD police chief to call for the support of outside law enforcement, medical teams and the fire department to help us quell the violence. We are carefully examining our security processes that night and I am grateful to President Drake for also calling for an investigation," Block said.


Rutgers give students 4 p.m. deadline to clear out encampment

Rutgers University gave pro-Palestinian protesters a 4 p.m. deadline to clear their encampment, warning that if they do not clear the area of their tents and belongings, "they will be considered to have trespassed" and the university will clear the encampment with the help of law enforcement.

Rutgers said Students for Justice in Palestine called for a significant rally coinciding with the beginning of exam period with the intent to disrupt finals. Exams scheduled for Thursday that were disrupted by the protests were rescheduled or relocated.

"The morning rally disrupted 28 scheduled exams, impacting more than 1,000 students. While the protesters eventually responded to our request to cease their disruption, the disruption adversely impacted our students and University operations and forced our postponement announcement," President Jonathan Holloway said in a statement.

"We value free speech and the right to protest, but it should not come at the cost of our students’ education and safety. We strive to balance these rights and maintain a safe and secure environment for our students to learn and succeed," Holloway said.


Photos show the aftermath of police clearing encampment at UCLA

Photos taken Thursday show the aftermath of police clearing a pro-Palestinian encampment at UCLA where at least 132 people were arrested.


Northwestern reaches deal with students, faculty to end encampment, reveal investments

Northwestern University announced it has reached a deal with pro-Palestinian protesters, ending an encampment of students and faculty, but allowing peaceful demonstrations to continue through June 1.

The university said it would "answer questions from any internal stakeholder about holdings, held currently or within the last quarter, to the best of its knowledge and to the extent legally possible" -- meeting a key call from divestment protesters and students around the country who are seeking more transparency over universities' investments.

Northwestern will also reestablish an Advisory Committee on Investment Responsibility in the fall, which will include representatives from students, faculty and staff.

The university also pledged more inclusivity, funding two Palestinian faculty members and the full cost of attendance for five Palestinian undergraduate students annually, as well as a commitment to raising funds to sustain the program beyond this commitment.

Under the agreement, Northwestern says tents will be removed immediately but one aid tent will be allowed to remain. Protesters will need to suspend the use of "non-approved" amplified sound." Protesters who refuse to follow the agreement will be suspended and non-affiliated individuals must leave campus.