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.


0

170 of protesters arrested at Columbia and City College receive summonses

Of the approximately 280 arrests at Columbia University and City College, 170 are summonses, while the remaining people will receive desk appearance tickets or will work through the court system, according to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

Each case would be evaluated individually, including a review of body camera footage and other evidence, Bragg said. But, he did not reveal how many of those arrested were affiliated with the colleges and how many were outside agitators.

-ABC News' Aaron Katersky


Columbia to hold final exams remotely

Columbia University announced final exams will be held remotely amid a tense campus climate, according to a letter sent out by the university's provost.

"In order to address the concerns of our members in an evolving campus environment, all academic activities for schools on the Morningside Heights campus will be fully remote for the remainder of the semester (with carve-outs noted below). Any remaining class meetings, review sessions, or office hours should be held fully remotely, and all final exams and other final assessments should be fully remote," Columbia said in a statement.

All final exams scheduled for Friday will be automatically rescheduled for May 10.


34 arrested at University of Wisconsin-Madison

A total of 34 people were arrested while emptying a pro-Palestinian encampment at University of Wisconsin-Madison Wednesday, the university said.

The majority of those arrested have been released with no citation issued, but four people have been booked, according to the university. The charges they are facing include attempted disarming a police officer, resisting arrest, attempted escape and battery to a police officer.


4 police officers injured as University of Wisconsin-Madison empties encampment

Four police officers were injured at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where police were dispersing an encampment of protesters on the Library Mall.

Three of the four officers sustained injuries "directly related to the physical resistance," according to the university. A state trooper sustained injuries when a protester allegedly "struck their head with a skateboard."


University of Mississippi protest confrontation draws scrutiny

Footage from the University of Mississippi campus captures intense confrontations between pro-Palestinian protesters and counter-protesters.

The dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered on the campus to call for divestment from military operations in Gaza and for the university to condemn what they call "genocide."

Footage shows a much larger counter-protest surrounding the students, with many donning American flags.

Protesters reported being subject to racism and violent threats and having food thrown at them by counter-protesters.

In one video, a Black protester can be seen recording and speaking to counter-protesters, moving past the protective barricades around pro-Palestinian protesters.

Law enforcement officers can be seen urging her to walk back as counter-demonstrators taunt her, including on student making a monkey impersonation and others chanting "lock her up," according to the Stacey Spiehler, who took the video.

Law enforcement also urged counter-protesters to stand back.

Jacob Batte, Ole Miss’ director of news and media relations, told ABC News they "cannot comment specifically about that video," but that "statements were made at the demonstration on our campus Thursday that were offensive and inappropriate."

The university said it is looking into reports about specific actions and "any actions that violate university policy will be met with appropriate action."

In a statement following the confrontations, protesters said they were met with "blind reactionism that had little to do with the genocide we were protesting as well as our demands."

-ABC News' Chris Looft and Kiara Alfonseca