More colleges to cancel graduations after new protests and clashes
This morning, amid mounting chaos on America’s college campuses, another round of violent clashes between police and pro Palestinian protesters. At the University of Virginia Saturday, officers in riot gear pushed demonstrators and sprayed them with what officials say is pepper spray. 25 were arrested, according to the university. Across the country at the University of Southern California Sunday, close to 100 officers cleared a camp USC president said protesters had rebuilt, adding areas of campus were blocked, people were harassed and iconic Trojan symbols were defaced. This had to stop these latest flashpoints following weeks of clashes at roughly 75 campuses nationwide, according to account by NBC News. Arrests now topping 2400 as demonstrators demand schools divest from Israel. Tensions rippling into the commencement season over the weekend at Northeastern. One ceremony was interrupted as a protester covered in fake blood stormed the stage before being taken away by security. We respect your passion and your opportunity. Opinions. We respect your right to voice them in the appropriate setting. And this morning Columbia rethinking its commencement plans. While a final decision has not been made, a source at the university telling NBC News the main graduation ceremony is slated to be cancelled. Two members of the student government saying it’s due to security concerns. This after USC made the same call. New York’s mayor pushing back. I don’t think we should allow anything to get in our normal way of life. And here in Chicago, these protests, obviously testing city leaders too, over the weekend of Chicago’s mayor and chief of police, told reporters they’re committed to protecting First Amendment rights, but also monitoring the situation as needed in case intervention is needed. And again, that situation changing once again overnight. Hold up. All right, Maggie Vespa for us there in Chicago. Maggie, thanks.