Protests are roiling college campuses nationwide as administrators with graduation ceremonies next month face demands that schools cut financial ties to Israel against the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas war.
Many campuses were largely quiet by early afternoon Sunday, but about 275 people were arrested on Saturday at campuses including Indiana University at Bloomington, Arizona State University and Washington University in St. Louis. Those have pushed the number of arrests nationwide to nearly 900 since New York police removed a pro-Palestinian protest encampment at Columbia University and arrested more than 100 demonstrators on April 18.
Since then, students have dug in at dozens of pro-Palestinian encampments around the country, prompting a range of responses from administrators: arrests and criminal charges, student suspensions or simply continued pleas to leave. The plight of students has become a central part of protests , with both the students and a growing number of faculty demanding amnesty. At issue is whether the suspensions and legal records will follow students through their adult lives.
Faculty members at universities in California, Georgia and Texas have initiated or passed largely symbolic votes of no confidence in their leadership.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby said President Joe Biden knows that there are very strong feelings but would leave managing the protests to local authorities.
People should have the ability to air their views and to share their perspectives publicly but it has to be peaceful, Kirby said on ABCs This Week.
In an interview that aired Sunday, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell called it a dangerous situation and placed the responsibility with college administrators.
Theres also antisemitism, which is completely unacceptable. Ive been shocked to see that in this country, he said on NBCs Meet the Press.
HOW IT STARTED
Early protests at Columbia University in New York City sparked pro-Palestinian demonstrations across the country and students and administrators there have engaged in negotiations, the university said in a statement Saturday night.
Columbia has set a series of deadlines for protesters to leave the encampment which they have missed but bringing back police at this time would be counterproductive, the school wrote in an email to students.
On Sunday, students walked among dozens of colorful tents that continue to stand.
CALIFORNIA
Protesters opposing and supporting Israel shouted and shoved each other during dueling demonstrations Sunday at the University of California, Los Angeles. Local media showed footage of police setting up barricades before hundreds of people on both sides joined a growing crowd at UCLAs Dickson court, near where pro-Palestinian students have been staying around-the-clock in tents. Counter-protesters who organized a Stand in Support of Jewish Students rally said their goal was to stand up against hatred and antisemitism.
Across town, the University of Southern California said on X that its University Park campus was again open to students, staff, faculty and registered guests. USC announced restrictions on nonresidents Saturday after USC property was vandalized by members of a group the university said has continued to illegally camp, disrupt operations and harass people.
Students declined USC President Carol Folts invitations to meet, and the administration hoped for a more reasonable response Sunday before we are forced to take further action, said Joel Curran, senior vice president of communications.
USC drew criticism after refusing to allow the valedictorian, who has publicly supported the Palestinian cause, to make a commencement speech. Administrators then scrapped the keynote speech by filmmaker Jon M. Chu. Last week the school announced the cancelation of its main graduation event , a day after more than 90 protesters were arrested by police in riot gear.
In the northern part of the state, officials on Saturday ordered an enforced hard closure of California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt. Two halls remained occupied by pro-Palestinian demonstrators.
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