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
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.
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.
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.
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.
"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.
More than 60 arrests made at UC San Diego
Police moved in on an encampment at the University of California, San Diego early Monday morning, dismantling it and arresting 64 people, according to authorities.
There were 40 students among those arrested, with officials saying they "have been or will be placed under immediate interim suspension."
All classes were moved to remote learning and nonessential personnel were asked to remain home.
University of California President orders independent review of overnight violence at UCLA
University of California President Michael V. Drake addressed the ongoing protests at UCLA that "turned violent" overnight, announcing in a statement on Wednesday an "independent external review" has been ordered.
The university summoned mutual aid from LAPD officers to "restore control" to the protest, according to Drake, who noted, there were 15 injuries, including one hospitalization, that stemmed from the protest.
"My office has requested a detailed accounting from the campus about what transpired in the early morning hours today," Drake said.
"But some confusion remains, therefore we are also ordering an independent external review of both UCLA’s planning and actions, and the effectiveness of the mutual aid response," Drake said.
UCLA's own chancellor, Gene D. Block, also promised an investigation.
"We are still gathering information about the attack on the encampment last night, and I can assure you that we will conduct a thorough investigation that may lead to arrests, expulsions and dismissals," Block told the campus community in a note Wednesday afternoon.
Block, in his note, said it was "a group of instigators" who came to Royce Quad to "forcefully attack the encampment that has been established there to advocate for Palestinian rights."
He called the overnight violence "utterly unacceptable."
"However one feels about the encampment, this attack on our students, faculty and community members was utterly unacceptable. It has shaken our campus to its core and — adding to other abhorrent incidents that we have witnessed and that have circulated on social media over the past several days — further damaged our community’s sense of security," his letter read.