College protests updates: Violence erupts between opposing protesters at UCLA
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, 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
May 1, 12:55 AM
Columbia restricts Morningside campus to on-campus student residents, certain employees
After Columbia University was cleared of encamped protesters Tuesday night, the school said it its Morningside campus was immediately restricted to students who live there and workers providing essential services.
“Effective immediately, access to the Morningside campus has been limited to students residing in residential buildings on campus (Carman, Furnald, John Jay, Hartley, Wallach, East Campus and Wien) and employees who provide essential services to campus buildings, labs and residential student life (for example, Dining, Public Safety, and building maintenance staff). There is no additional access to the Morningside campus,” the notification read.
The university said the restrictions would stay in place “until circumstances allow otherwise.”
-ABC News’ Victoria Arancio
May 1, 12:46 AM
NYPD officers move on to City College of New York campus
NYPD officers entered the campus of the City College of New York late Tuesday night.
“As requested by the university, we are currently on campus to assist the university in dispersing those trespassing,” NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Operations, Kaz Daughtry, said in a post on X, sharing video of the police moving in.
In a note to the campus community, university president Vince Boudreau, said protests on campus presented “heightened challenges.”
“Most importantly, this is not primarily a CCNY demonstration, and perhaps not primarily a CUNY demonstration. The significant inclusion of un-affiliated external individuals means that we don’t have established connections to them,” Boudreau’s letter read.
He continued: “Specifically, this demonstration has been more contentious and violent than anything we’ve seen on campus before. Today, we distributed a letter to members of the encampment detailing specific examples of threats to the safety of people within and outside the encampment, so that all of them understand the full scope of the activity. We also want all of them, and those of you reading this note, to understand that in no way does our response to this particular and extraordinary threat overwrite our more fundamental commitments to free speech, academic freedom, or the right to peacefully protest that comply with CCNY and CUNY regulations.”
Boudreau said the encamped demonstrators were told to take down their encampment and follow CUNY guidelines for “future activities.”
The university president also said classes would be remote on Wednesday due to the situation on campus.
-ABC News’ Jolie Lash and Victoria Arancio
May 1, 12:16 AM
Columbia details backstory on Hamilton Hall takeover
In a letter authorizing the NYPD to enter the Columbia University campus and break up the protest, the school detailed the backstory on its recent talks with those in the encampments and the takeover Tuesday night of Hamilton Hall.
According to the letter, from Columbia President Minouche Shafik, an individual “hid in the building” at Hamilton Hall until it was closed and let others in. The group’s purpose was “occupying the building,” the letter read.
A Pro-Palestinian protestor who is occupying Hamilton Hall looks out into a crowd at Columbia University on April 30, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Two security guards were inside the building at the time, and the university said in the letter to the NYPD they were able to “secure their release.”
“We believe that while the group who broke into the building includes students, it is led by individuals who are not affiliated with the University,” the letter read. “The individuals who have occupied Hamilton Hall have vandalized University property and are trespassing.”
Addressing the encampment on the school’s Morningside campus, the university told police discussions had been carried out with group representatives, but on Sunday, they “reached an impasse.”
At that time, the university says it told the group they did not have permission to “occupy spaces on campus” and were “in violation” of school rules and policies.
On Monday morning, the protesters were told they would be suspended if they didn’t disperse by Monday at 2 p.m. ET.
The university said in its Tuesday night NYPD letter that those in the encampment were “suspended” and “not authorized to be on University property and are trespassing.”
The university said it believed the actions of those in the protest were escalating. “These activities have become a magnet for protesters outside our gates which creates significant risk to our campus and disrupts the ability of the University to continue normal operations,” the letter read.
Columbia’s president concluded the letter by asking the NYPD to “help to clear all individuals from Hamilton Hall and all campus encampments.”
She further asked police to have a campus presence through May 17 — graduation is May 15 — “to maintain order and ensure encampments are not reestablished.”
Student protestors are arrested by police and removed from the campus of Columbia University on April 30, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Police moved onto the Columbia University campus a little before 9 p.m. ET and began making arrests.
The NYPD also used a vehicle with an extendable roof ramp to help officers breach Hamilton Hall from an upper floor. From there, the police cleared the building.
The campus encampment and hall were cleared before 11:30 p.m.
-ABC News’ Jolie Lash, Aaron Katersky and Joshua Hoyos
Apr 30, 11:24 PM
NYPD says Hamilton Hall, encampment cleared at Columbia
NYPD officers arrest students as they evict a building that had been barricaded by pro-Palestinian student protesters at Columbia University, in New York City on April 30, 2024. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images)
The NYPD said Tuesday night that Hamilton Hall and the encampment have been cleared.
In a short media briefing, the NYPD said the only thing that remains are the tents at the encampment, which the university will clear.
No injuries have been reported, the NYPD said.
An official also said no tear gas was deployed Tuesday night.
-ABC News’ Joshua Hoyos
Apr 30, 11:20 PM
Nearly 50 arrests so far at Columbia: Police sources
NYPD officers transport arrested students in a bus as they evict a building that had been barricaded by pro-Palestinian student protesters at Columbia University, in New York City on April 30, 2024. (Photo by LEONARDO MUNOZ/AFP via Getty Images)
There have been about four dozen arrests so far by the NYPD at Columbia University, according to police sources.
The first bus of protesters apprehended by police just left the campus area.
-ABC News’ Aaron Katersky
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