Protests on college campuses across the United States have entered their second week, coinciding with the end of the spring semester and upcoming graduation ceremonies. More than 1,000 individuals have been arrested by law enforcement at various universities.
A key demand of the protesters is for universities to divest from Israel-linked companies that they allege are benefiting from the conflict in Gaza.
Key Updates:
Classes Canceled at University of North Carolina: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill canceled its last day of classes as protests persisted. Police officers were observed pushing back protesters, who replaced the American flag on campus with a Palestinian flag. Demonstrators were detained following a university directive to vacate their encampment.
Student Occupations: At Columbia University, students occupying Hamilton Hall face potential expulsion, while similar occupations have occurred at other institutions such as Princeton University and Cal Poly Humboldt. Portland State University sought police assistance to remove protesters from a university library.
Arrests and Resolutions: Student protesters at Brown University agreed to disband their encampment after the university committed to a vote on divestment from Israel-supporting companies. Virginia Commonwealth University reported 13 arrests for unlawful assembly and trespassing, while significant arrests were made at the University of Texas-Austin and Virginia Tech. McGill University in Canada requested police intervention amid campus protests.
Political Response: Lawmakers, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Mike Johnson, have condemned the protests and vandalism. Republicans in the House announced an initiative to combat antisemitism on college campuses.
As tensions persist on campuses, the impact of these protests on university policies and student activism remains a focal point of discussion.
