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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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.


University of Minnesota strikes agreement to end encampment

The University of Minnesota has reached an agreement to end the student-led encampment on campus.

The university will reopen previously closed buildings and the student coalition has pledged not to organize disruptions during final exams and the commencement ceremony.

Representatives of the student coalition will be given the opportunity to address the Board of Regents at its May 10 meeting over its call for a divestment, students will receive amnesty for their encampment, and the university will also explore an affiliation with Palestinian universities, hosting scholars at risk.

"Our meetings have been grounded in listening, learning, and respect, and I believe they were a very positive first step in reaching mutual understanding. Though the original meeting was scheduled for 30 minutes yesterday, we engaged in constructive conversation for more than 90 minutes. We then met two more times to discuss the proposed agreements," University of Minnesota interim President Jeff Ettinger said in a statement.

"We regret that these meetings did not happen sooner, and have committed to regular meetings moving forward to continue to discuss this coalition’s concerns," Ettinger said.

Ettinger also highlighted that the university supports freedom of expression as a fundamental part of its mission.

"While we do not condone tactics that are outside of our policies, we appreciate student leaders’ willingness to engage in dialogue. I value the challenging and healthy conversations we’ve had," Ettinger said.