College protests updates: Columbia to expel students occupying building
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 Developments
Apr 30, 6:19 PM
American flag briefly replaced with Palestinian flag at UNC Chapel Hill
Some protesters at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill briefly replaced an American flag with the Palestinian flag on the campus’ main quad Tuesday afternoon amid ongoing demonstrations.
Protesters at c replace an American flag with a Palestinian flag on campus, April 30, 2024.
The crowd chanted “U.S.A!” and sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” as the American flag was returned to the flagpole, footage shows. The flag was later removed for safekeeping, according to ABC Chapel Hill affiliate WTVD.
Protesters at UNC Chapel Hill replace an American flag with a Palestinian flag on campus, April 30, 2024.
The university canceled classes for the rest of the day as of 3 p.m. local time due to the demonstrations on campus.
Apr 30, 5:33 PM
Education secretary says campus unrest is ‘unacceptable’
Education Secretary Miguel Cardona condemned what he deemed the “unacceptable” behavior of protesters on college campuses across the country.
“I think what’s happening on our campuses is abhorrent,” Cardona told Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., at the Senate’s budget requests hearing for fiscal year 2025 on Tuesday. “It’s unacceptable and we’re committed as a Department of Education to adhering to Title VI enforcement.”
Education Secretary Miguel Cardona listens as he testifies during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies hearing on Capitol Hill, April 30, 2024.
The secretary said the department could reduce federal funds for schools that violate Title VI of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin.
Pressed on whether the department was acting to eliminate antisemitism from college campuses amid the growing unrest, particularly at Columbia University, Cardona said the department is reviewing 137 discrimination investigations at Columbia.
He maintained campus safety is of “utmost importance.”
“I wouldn’t want to send my child to campus if I feel that they’re not safe,” he said. “That’s the most important thing to me — to make sure that our kids are safe on campus.”
-ABC News’ Arthur Jones II
Apr 30, 5:07 PM
79 people arrested at UT Austin
Police arrested 79 people at the University of Texas at Austin, Monday and the Travis County Prosecutor’s Office has now received 65 cases for criminal trespassing.
“An initial review of the probable cause affidavits does not appear to show deficiencies,” Travis County Attorney Delia Garza told reporters Tuesday.
Last week, trespassing charges against protesters were dismissed because they did not show probable cause.
Students listen and take notes during a pro-Palestine educational rally held on campus at the University of Texas at Austin on April 30, 2024 in Austin, Texas.
Garza criticized the arrests and charges brought against peaceful protesters and said it is putting a strain on the state’s criminal justice system and police response.
“I’m also deeply concerned about how matters will escalate when people believe they are being prevented from exercising their right to participate in nonviolent protest,” Garza said.
Apr 30, 3:27 PM
Brown University reaches agreement to end encampment, agrees to divestment sit-down
Brown University said it has reached an agreement with pro-Palestinian student protesters to end their encampment, which began on April 24.
“After productive discussions between members of the Brown University administration and student leaders of the Brown Divest Coalition, we have reached an agreement that will end the encampment by 5 p.m. today,” Brown President Christina Paxson said in a statement.
Five students have been invited to meet with five members of the Corporation of Brown University to make their arguments to divest Brown’s endowment from “companies enabling and profiting from the genocide in Gaza.”
Paxson will also ask the Advisory Committee on University Resource Management to provide a recommendation on divestment by Sept. 30, which the corporation will vote on in October.
Students, faculty, staff and alumni will not face retaliation for being involved in the encampment, according to the agreement, and no registered student organizations will loose their recognition.
While Brown said it will continue to follow its conduct process for individual students who were involved in any activities related to the encampment or support of the encampment, the university said ending the encampment will be viewed favorably in disciplinary proceedings. Reports of bias, harassment or discrimination will continue to be investigated.
-ABC News’ Nadine El-Bawab
Apr 30, 2:31 PM
Columbia protesters say school ‘isolating’ them with no access to food, water, bathrooms
Columbia University’s Students for Justice in Palestine hit back at the university saying its decision to limit campus access to students living in on-campus dorms means protesters will not have access to food, water or bathrooms without swiping in.
Protesters are calling for students to join them for a rally at the occupied building they have renamed Hind’s Hall at 2 p.m.
Apr 30, 1:32 PM
Columbia threatens ‘consequences’ for protesters who occupied building
Columbia University has threatened student protesters with “clear consequences” after protesters occupied a building in an escalating standoff. Students defied a 2 p.m. deadline to disperse Monday.
Students occupying the building face expulsion, the university warned.
“We made it very clear yesterday that the work of the University cannot be endlessly interrupted by protesters who violate the rules. Continuing to do so will be met with clear consequences. Protesters have chosen to escalate to an untenable situation—vandalizing property, breaking doors and windows, and blockading entrances—and we are following through with the consequences we outlined yesterday,” Columbia said in a statement.
Students who did not commit to the terms Columbia’s proposed agreement to vacate the encampment by 2 p.m. Monday have been suspended.
“Those students will be restricted from all academic and recreational spaces and may only access their individual residence. Seniors will be ineligible to graduate,” Columbia said.
“This is about responding to the actions of the protesters, not their cause,” Columbia said.
Apr 30, 1:15 PM
Columbia limits access to Morningside campus
Columbia University said it has limited access to its Morningside campus except to students residing in seven residential buildings, labs and employees who provide essential services.
The school has also limited access into and out of the building to one gate, closing all other campus entry points.
The restrictions will remain in place “until circumstances allow otherwise,” Columbia said.
A person looks out of a window at Hamilton Hall in Columbia University, which student protesters barricaded during the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in New York City, Apr. 30, 2024.
New York Police Department officers said they would not enter the property unless Columbia requests it, or there is an imminent threat.
Apr 30, 12:31 PM
82 protesters arrested at Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech said it has cleared an encampment on campus and arrested 82 protesters for trespassing, after refusing to comply with university policies.
“Virginia Tech strongly supports free speech, even when the content of that speech may be disagreeable to some. However, those rights do not extend beyond the point where they interfere with the rights of others, violate our policies, the Code of Virginia, or federal laws and/or create a threat to safety for others,” Virginia Tech President Tim Sands said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Virginia Tech Muslim Student Association said in a letter the 91 students faculty and staff were arrested for peacefully protesting.
“As we reach the end of the semester, 7 months after Oct. 7, we are finding our voices still unheard. We are waiting for your support of us and Palestine,” the Virginia Tech MSA said in a statement.
-ABC News’ Nadine El-Bawab and Kerem Inal
Apr 30, 12:00 PM
Cal Poly Humboldt clears occupied buildings, arrests 25 protesters
California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt said it has cleared two campus buildings that had been occupied by protesters for over a week and arrested 25 people.
“Those arrested faced a range of different charges depending on individual circumstances including unlawful assembly, vandalism, conspiracy, assault of police officers, and others. In addition, students could face discipline for conduct violations while any University employees arrested could face disciplinary action,” Cal Poly said in a statement.
Pro-Palestinian protesters hold up signs while occupying a building on the campus of California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, in Arcata, Calif., Monday, April 22, 2024.
The university called the occupation of the two buildings “criminal activity” and said there were “serious concerns it would spread even further on campus.”
“This morning’s enforcement action was determined to be necessary to restore order and to address the lawlessness and dangerous conditions that had developed. What was occurring was not free expression or a protest,” the university said in a statement.
The campus will remain closed until May 10.
Apr 30, 11:46 AM
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.
Signs are displayed in front of Deering Meadow, where an encampment of students are protesting in support of Palestinians, during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, at Northwestern University campus in Evanston, Ill., April 25, 2024.
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.
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