Colleges across US seek to clear protest encampments by force or ultimatum as commencements approach
NEW YORK — As upcoming commencement ceremonies approached on Tuesday, universities across the US struggled to clear camps of pro-Palestinian protesters, with some continuing negotiations and others turning to violence and ultimatums that have resulted in arrests and clashes with police.
Dozens of people were arrested Monday during protests at universities in Texas and Virginia, while Columbia University in New York said it was beginning to suspend students.
Protesters are sparring over the war between Israel and Hamas and its rising death toll, and arrests on campuses nationwide are approaching 1,000 as the final days of classes end. The outrage is forcing colleges to reckon with their financial ties to Israel, as well as their support for freedom of expression. Some Jewish students say the protests have turned into anti-Semitism and made them afraid to set foot on campus.
At the University of Texas at Austin, an attorney said at least 40 protesters were arrested Monday. The confrontation was an escalation on the 53,000-student campus in the state capital, where more than 50 protesters were arrested last week.
The fate of the arrested students has become a central part of the protests, with students and a growing number of teachers demanding amnesty for demonstrators. At issue is whether the suspensions and legal records will follow students throughout their adult lives.
The protest in Texas and others – including in Canada and Europe – grew out of the early demonstrations in Columbia that continue today. On Monday, student activists on the school’s Manhattan campus defied a 2 p.m. deadline to vacate an encampment of about 120 tents. Instead, hundreds of protesters remained. A handful of counter-protesters waved Israeli flags, and one held a sign that read: “Where are the anti-Hamas chants?”
Although the university did not call police to remove the protesters, school spokesman Ben Chang said the suspensions had begun but could provide few details. Protest organizers said they were not aware of any suspensions as of Monday evening.
Columbia’s handling of the demonstrations has also prompted federal complaints.
A class action lawsuit on behalf of Jewish students alleges breach of contract by Columbia, claiming the university has failed to maintain a safe learning environment despite policies and promises. It also challenges the elimination of in-person classes and seeks swift legal action requiring Columbia to provide safety for students.
Meanwhile, a legal group representing pro-Palestinian students is urging the U.S. Department of Education’s civil rights office to investigate Columbia’s compliance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 over the way they have been treated.
A university spokesperson declined to comment on the complaints.
In a rare case, Northwestern University said it had reached an agreement with students and faculty who represent the majority of protesters on its campus near Chicago. It allows peaceful demonstrations through spring classes June 1 and in return requires the removal of all tents except one for aid, and limits the demonstration area to students, faculty and staff only unless the university approves otherwise.
At the University of Southern California, organizers of a large encampment spoke with university President Carol Folt for about 90 minutes on Monday. Folt declined to discuss details but said she had heard concerns from protesters and that talks would continue Tuesday.
USC sparked a controversy on April 15 when officials refused to let the valedictorian, who has publicly supported the Palestinians, deliver a commencement address, citing non-specific security concerns for their rare decision. Administrators subsequently canceled the keynote speech by filmmaker Jon M. Chu, an alumnus, and refused to award honorary degrees.
The backlash, as well as the demonstrations in Columbia, inspired the encampment and protests on campus last week, where 90 people in riot gear were arrested by police. The university has canceled its main graduation event.
Administrators elsewhere scrambled to save their entry points, and several have ordered the evacuation of encampments in recent days. When these efforts failed, officials threatened discipline, including suspension and possible arrest.
But students dug in their heels at other high-profile universities, while impasses continued at Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, Yale and others. Riot police from Virginia Commonwealth University tried to break up an encampment there late Monday and clashed with protesters.
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Vertuno reported from Austin, Texas, and Mattise reported from Nashville, Tennessee. Associated Press journalists from around the country contributed to this report, including Sarah Brumfield, Stefanie Dazio, Christopher Weber, Carolyn Thompson, David Collins, Makiya Seminera and Corey Williams.