College protests updates: NYC mayor blames 'outside agitators' for protests
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
May 1, 11:39 AM
UCLA cancels all classes due to ‘violence’ overnight
The University of California, Los Angeles announced that it will cancel all Wednesday classes due to the “distress caused by the violence that took place on Royce Quad” overnight, according to a statement from the university.
A demonstrator stands in front of barricades set up to protect an encampment on the UCLA campus Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Los Angeles. Dueling groups of protesters clashed early Wednesday.
The hospital and health system, the Luskin Conference Center and PreK through 12 schools will remain open.
“We have law enforcement presence stationed throughout campus to help promote safety. Student Affairs will have essential staff on campus to support our students who have been impacted by this tragedy,” UCLA said in a statement.
May 1, 11:34 AM
12 arrested at University of Wisconsin-Madison as it empties encampment
At least 12 people have been arrested at the University of Wisconsin-Madison as campus police moved to disperse an encampment of protesters. About 100 to 200 people had arrived for a demonstration Monday and began putting up tents.
The University of Wisconsin said several people resisted arrest, but it is not yet clear how many of the arrested are affiliated with the university.
Police gather as they start removing tents erected by protesters from the campus of University of Wisconsin in Madison on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 in Madison, Wis.
Police face off against pro-Palestinian supporters at an encampment on the Library Mall of the University of Wisconsin, during the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Madison, Wis., May 1, 2024
Several tents have been taken down and dissembled.
“Tents and camping are not allowed on any university property under Chapter 18 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code, which defines the types of activities permitted on campus, information which was shared to all members of the campus community on Friday,” the university said in a statement.
May 1, 11:10 AM
People who occupied Columbia building were led by people unaffiliated with school, NYPD says
The mayor said those who occupied Hamilton Hall were led by people unaffiliated with Columbia University.
Those protesters made a change to more aggressive tactics and represented an “elevated concern,” Rebecca Weiner, the NYPD deputy commissioner of intelligence and counterterrorism, said Wednesday.
“The situation had deteriorated to the point where the safety of students, staff and the public was at risk,” Police Commissioner Edward Caban said.
Pro-Palestine student activists face off with New York Police Department officers during a raid on Columbia University’s campus at the request of Columbia University President Minouche Shafik on Tuesday evening, April 30, 2024 in New York.
There were 282 arrests on a range of mainly minor offenses — 173 at City College and 119 at Columbia.
“It was a tough decision,” Adams said, of the university authorizing the NYPD to move onto campus. “The action had to end and we brought it to a peaceful conclusion.”
-ABC News’ Aaron Katersky
May 1, 10:07 AM
New York officials say outside individuals hijacked Columbia protests
New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York Police Department officials told reporters that protesters at Columbia University were being influenced by outside individuals, part of a movement “globally” to “radicalize young people”
“Students have a right to protest and free speech is the cornerstone of our society. But as our major concern we knew and we saw that there were those who were never concerned about free speech. They were concerned about chaos. It was about external actors hijacking peaceful protests influence students to escalate,” Adams said.
“You don’t have to be a majority to influence and co-op an operation,” Adams said.
May 1, 10:09 AM
300 arrested at Columbia and City College, Adams says
About 300 people were arrested at Columbia University and City College Tuesday night, New York Mayor Eric Adams said Wednesday.
“We are processing the arrests to distinguish between who were actually students and who were not supposed to be on the grounds,” Adams said.
“It was led by individuals who are not affiliated with the university. The school needed the NYPD assistance to clear Hamilton Hall at the encampments outside of dual operations on the grounds that took place successfully,” Adams said.
Officials said those arrested could be charged with trespassing, criminal mischef and burglary.
Video: NYC Mayor Eric Adams commends NYPD’s handling of Columbia University protesters
May 1, 6:50 AM
Campus police deploy ‘chemical irritant’ at University of Arizona
Campus police officers at the University of Arizona in Tucson shot “chemical irritant” munitions at a gathering of protesters early Wednesday, the department said.
The university’s president, Robert C. Robbins, had asked the campus police and school officials to “immediately enforce campus use policies and all corresponding laws,” according to a statement from his office.
Police and protesters clash at the University of Arizona in Tucson on May 1, 2024.
The Tucson Police Department and other law enforcement agencies also responded to campus, the university said.
Campus officers closed several blocks of Park Avenue as they responded to the “unlawful assembly,” the department said.
Police and protesters clash at the University of Arizona in Tucson on May 1, 2024.
Video appeared to show police handcuffing individuals on the ground and protesters forming a human chain facing officers.
“Police deploying chemical irritant munitions,” the department said amid a series of updates on social media. “Follow orders of police and disperse immediately. Avoid the area of University Blvd & Park Ave.”
-ABC News’ Amanda Morris and Kevin Shalvey
May 1, 6:09 AM
UCLA officials ‘sickened’ by violence on campus, chancellor says
As groups of counter-protesters clashed with Pro-Palestinian demonstrators on the UCLA campus early Wednesday, a university official said staff were “sickened” by the violence.
“Horrific acts of violence occurred at the encampment tonight and we immediately called law enforcement for mutual aid support,” Mary Osaka, a vice chancellor, said in a statement.
Counter-protesters stand near an encampment of protesters in support of Palestinians in Gaza on the campus of the University of California Los Angeles on May 1, 2024.
Protesters stand near an encampment in support of Palestinians in Gaza on the campus of the University of California Los Angeles on May 1, 2024.
Osaka aded that the fire department and medical responders were near the scene.
“We are sickened by this senseless violence and it must end,” she said.
-ABC News’ Bonnie Mclean and Kevin Shalvey
May 1, 6:05 AM
At least 100 arrested at 2 NY campuses, NYPD says
The New York Police Department made at least 100 arrests overnight, with most at Columbia University. Arrests were also made at City College of New York, officials said.
Many of those taken into custody are still being processed at police headquarters.
-ABC News’ Aaron Katersky
May 1, 5:49 AM
Protesters clash on UCLA campus, LAPD responds
Clashes between opposing groups of protesters at the University of California Los Angeles included “multiple acts of violence,” prompting university officials to ask police to enter the campus, the Los Angeles Police Department said.
Officers responded to assist campus police “to restore order and maintain public safety,” the LAPD said.
A pro-Palestinian demonstrator is beaten by counter protesters attacking a pro-Palestinian encampment set up on the campus of the University of California Los Angeles as clashes erupt, in Los Angeles on May 1, 2024.
State and local politicians said they were monitoring the situation, with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass calling the violence “absolutely abhorrent and inexcusable.”
Counter-protesters attempt to move a barricade amidst clashes with protesters in support of Palestinians in Gaza at an encampment on the campus of the University of California Los Angeles on May 1, 2024.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said his office had been in contact with law enforcement leadership.
-ABC News’ Bonnie Mclean, Amanda Morris and Kevin Shalvey
May 1, 2:38 AM
Police confront CUNY protesters, arrest 25, university says
At least 25 people were arrested at CUNY’s City College of New York campus as police confronted protesters early Wednesday, the university said in a statement.
Pro-Palestinian supporters climb a fence during demonstrations at The City College Of New York as the NYPD cracks down on protest camps at both Columbia University and CCNY on April 30, 2024, in New York City.
University officials said they asked the New York Police Department for assistance in clearing protesters, including a “large crowd” of people who had marched from Columbia University to City College.
The school described a “series of violent indents” that it said put public safety at risk over the last six days.
“This includes a fire Sunday night at the Marshak Science Building caused by use of a flare gun that brought FDNY to campus, clashes with public safety, an attempted break-in at Shepard Hall tonight, and a break-in at the Administration Building tonight that included the vandalizing of offices and smashing glass doors,” the university said in a press release early Wednesday.
Police entered the campus just before midnight and began making arrests, the university said.
Pro-Palestinian supporters confront police during demonstrations at The City College Of New York as the NYPD cracks down on protest camps at both Columbia University and CCNY on April 30, 2024 in New York City.
“Students have a right to demonstrate peacefully and exercise their First Amendment rights,” the university said. “Tonight’s actions were taken in response to specific and repeated acts of violence and vandalism, not in response to peaceful protest”
-ABC News’ Jessica Gorman and Kevin Shalvey
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