Dozens of protesters took over a building at Columbia University in New York, barricading the entrances and unfurling a Palestinian flag in the latest escalation of demonstrations against the Israel-Hamas war that have spread to college campuses nationwide. Video footage showed protesters locking arms in front of Hamilton Hall and carrying furniture and barricades to the building, demanding divestment, financial transparency, and amnesty. The university had previously set a deadline for the protesters to leave an encampment of around 120 tents, but they chose to remain.
Universities across the U.S. are grappling with how to clear out encampments as commencement ceremonies approach, with some continuing negotiations and others turning to force and ultimatums that have resulted in clashes with police. Demonstrators are sparring over the Israel-Hamas war and its mounting death toll, with arrests at campuses nationwide nearing 1,000. Jewish students have accused some of the protests of antisemitism, while universities are under pressure to address their financial ties to Israel and support for free speech.
At the University of Texas at Austin, at least 40 demonstrators were arrested, while at the University of Utah, police in riot gear sought to break up an encampment outside the university president’s office, resulting in 17 arrests. The plight of students who have been arrested has become a central part of protests, with demands for amnesty. The protests have spread beyond the U.S. to Canada and Europe, drawing attention to the issues of free speech and treatment of demonstrators by universities.
Columbia University’s handling of the demonstrations has prompted federal complaints, with a class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of Jewish students alleging a breach of contract and challenging the move away from in-person classes. Northwestern University reached an agreement with protesters allowing demonstrations until the end of spring classes. USC sparked controversy by refusing to allow a valedictorian to make a commencement speech due to security concerns, leading to protests and suspensions.
Administrators at various universities have attempted to salvage their commencement ceremonies by ordering the clearing of encampments, threatening discipline and possible arrest. Despite these efforts, students at high-profile universities such as Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, and Yale have continued to protest. Standoffs have also occurred at Virginia Commonwealth University, highlighting the ongoing tension between universities and protesters. Talks between protesters and university officials are ongoing at multiple campuses as graduation season approaches.
