Two days of demonstrations against the camp detention at Emory University, a United States college, and Washington university, in Los Angeles
The police dismantled an illegal campsite at the college in Boston and arrested more than 100 people. The school’s list of campus locations where demonstrations are not allowed now includes Boylston Place Alley, where the camp was located.
At The University of Southern California, 93 people were arrested Wednesday for trespassing, a misdemeanor offense. The department did not say what the weapon was but one arrest was for assault with a deadly weapon. No injuries were reported, the Los Angeles Police Department said.
As a result of the protests, USC canceled its already controversial commencement ceremony Thursday. It previously canceled its valedictorian’s speech because of safety concerns stemming from backlash she received over her social media posts about the conflict between Israel and Palestine.
Faculty members gathered at a rally on the day after the protest and called for the school’s president to step down, after he praised the law enforcement for their restraint.
At Emory University in Atlanta, protesters — including students from other Atlanta universities and area activists — clashed with state, city and university law enforcement on campus. Videos on social media show officers using tear gas, tasers and handcuffs to detain protesters, including faculty members.
“Now I would like to emphasize that there is nothing threatening your safety at the moment,” she said. “But yet you are our primary concern. To protect your safety and the integrity of our academic program we are relocating student final exams.”
The dean of the law school said in a video that the school is working to quiet more and safer places for the students to take their final exams.
Meanwhile, at George Washington University in D.C., a second day of protests is underway Friday despite the university’s 7 p.m. deadline for clearing the encampments.
Student activism in the wake of Hamas attacks: Columbia University officials say a no-go theorem will remain the same for all students
“I am deeply sensitive to the fact that graduating seniors spent their first year attending Columbia remotely,” she said. “We all very much want these students to celebrate their well-deserved graduation with family and friends.”
If the talks fail, the school will have to consider alternative options that will allow students to complete the term, according to the university president.
Columbia officials said Thursday that protesters had agreed to take certain steps, including removing a significant number of tents, limiting the protests to Columbia students only, complying with fire department requirements and prohibiting discriminatory or harassing language.
The deadline to dismantle the setup was set by the administration at midnight on Tuesday, but was repeatedly extended due to constructive dialogue.
Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack killed 1,200 Israelis and resulted in another roughly 240 being taken hostage, according to Israeli authorities, while Gaza’s health ministry says Israel’s military response has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, a majority of them women and children.
Still, student activists nationwide appear determined to show their support for people in Gaza and push their universities to divest from companies with ties to Israel or who otherwise profit from its war with Hamas.