Students have set up protest camps at more than 40 colleges across the US since mid-April, demanding that both Washington and their universities cut ties with Israel and put an end to the violence in Gaza.
The demonstrations, in which thousands have taken part, started peacefully, but clashes have erupted at some colleges as police moved in to disperse the gatherings, which had been deemed illegal. Hundreds have been arrested.
This live stream has ended.
03 May 2024
Princeton University students have launched a hunger strike “in support of the millions of Palestinians enduring the continuous siege in Gaza imposed by the state of Israel.” They intend to continue the strike until the administration convenes to address issues such as disclosure, divestment, boycotting Israel, and amnesty for protesters.
The Colombian government has officially notified the Israeli ambassador that it is terminating diplomatic relations and plans to withdraw related personnel, but has decided that consular services should be maintained in both Tel Aviv and Bogota, according to the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Demonstrations and clashes with police at college campuses across the US over the past few weeks have led to over 2,300 arrests as of Friday, the latest data shared by AP indicates.
On Friday, the NYPD announced the arrest of 44 individuals at the New School, a private university in New York City, after it was called in to help disperse Gaza protesters.
“We gave them options to leave multiple times,” an NYPD spokesperson told WABC. “We gave them what the options were in terms of summons desk appearance ticket, and you saw they opted to take the investigators ticket, and what’s disturbing, as usual, you can hear the complete anti-Israel hatred live right here.”
Another 13 individuals were arrested during protests at New York University.
CIA Director William Burns is set to travel to the Middle East to participate in discussions regarding the potential release of American hostages in Gaza and the prospect of a ceasefire, NBC News reported today, citing a source familiar with the situation.
Burns is anticipated to make a stop in Cairo, where previous negotiations aimed at securing at least a temporary cessation of Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza have occurred.
Reuters reports that a UN official has cautioned against the possibility of an Israeli operation in Rafah, highlighting its potential to endanger the lives of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians and to disrupt humanitarian efforts in Gaza. Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN humanitarian office, expressed these concerns at a Geneva press briefing, emphasizing that such an attack “could be a slaughter of civilians and an incredible blow to relief operations in the entire strip, because it is run primarily out of Rafah.” Laerke noted that Rafah serves as a crucial hub for essential humanitarian activities, including medical services, food distribution, and assistance for malnourished children.
The Portland Police Bureau has said that 29 people were arrested during pro-Palestinian protests at Portland State University on Thursday evening.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek released a statement condemning the “criminal actions” of the demonstrators, which she said “resulted in the burning of 15 Portland Police Bureau cars, endangering first responders and the surrounding community.”
The University of Southern California (USC) has sent an email to dozens of its students who were arrested for alleged criminal trespassing, warning them that they will be “referred to the University’s disciplinary process,” ABC News reported.
Continued violations of the college’s policies regarding things such as camping, vandalism, theft of property and others “will result in further discipline up to expulsion as well as an immediate ban from campus,” the email reportedly read.
An officer who fired his gun as police were removing protesters from a Columbia University building earlier this week did so accidentally, the New York Police Department has said.
The policeman was intending to use a flashlight attached to his weapon, but ended up releasing a single round that struck a frame on a wall inside Hamilton Hall, according to the NYPD. There were other officers but no students nearby at the moment of the incident, it added.
The shooting was captured by the officer’s body camera, and the footage has been handed over to the Manhattan district attorney’s office for review, the department said.
The number of people detained during the pro-Palestinian protests at college campuses across the US in recent weeks has reached 2,200, according to calculations by AP.
UCLA Chancellor Gene Block released a statement, stressing that the encampment on university grounds “needed to come to an end.” While many protesters were peaceful, he wrote, “the site became a focal point for serious violence as well as a huge disruption to our campus.”
Around 300 protesters had left voluntarily, and more than 200 had refused to leave and were arrested, Block wrote. He promised that the university will continue to back both pro-Palestinian and Jewish students in the spirit of “listening, learning and mutual respect.”
Oregon police have detained the driver who briefly accelerated his car towards protesters at the Portland State University on Thursday.
The video from the scene shows the driver pepper-spraying activists from inside of the car. He then exits the vehicle and runs off, with the activists chasing him.
Police cleared Portland State University’s Branford Price Millar Library on Thursday morning, making 22 arrests. Pro-Palestine students and activists had occupied the building for three days, according to the Portland Mercury.
Journalist Andy Ngo posted a video of protesters fleeing the scene and scuffling with the officers.
New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu criticized Biden for not addressing the protests on campuses sooner. “It’s been 10 days,” he told NewsNation. “He should have been in front of this, as should have a lot of local leadership.”
The governor thanked colleges that took a firm stance against illegal activities. “If you’re going to violate school policy, there’s going to be accountability,” he said.
According to police, 90 people were arrested at Dartmouth College and 12 were arrested at the University of New Hampshire on Wednesday night.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office revealed that a police officer had fired their gun when responding to the protester takeover of the Hamilton Hall building at Columbia University on Tuesday. The attorney’s office is investigating the incident.
The New York Post cited its sources as saying that it was likely an accidental discharge.
02 May 2024
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has officially designated the month of May as Jewish American Heritage Month within the state.
“It is imperative now more than ever that we stand in solidarity with Israel & the Jewish community,” Abbott said in a statement on X.
Associated Press is now reporting that over 2,000 individuals have been arrested in connection with protests on US college campuses over the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Senate leaders from both parties are pushing their members to agree on processing the Antisemitism Awareness Act, which sailed through the House on Wednesday, according to a CNN report that cites a Senate aide. This bill would make it a must for the Department of Education to use a definition of anti-Semitism proposed by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance when enforcing anti-discrimination laws. Supporters say it’s vital for “tackling antisemitism” on campuses, but opponents fear it could stifle free speech. Despite a strong 320-91 vote in the House, resistance from both sides suggests Senate approval won’t come easy.
In the early hours of Thursday, a notable surge in protests occurred at UCLA, leading to the arrest of at least 132 individuals, according to Sgt Alejandro Rubio, a spokesperson for the CHP Southern Division. Rubio informed Associated Press: “The number could be higher, but that’s the latest information I have.” The arrested persons are presently being conveyed for processing at the inmate reception center at the county jails complex near downtown Los Angeles.
Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico witnessed a demonstration on Thursday morning, when about two dozen protesters staged a sit-in on a road, obstructing access to one of the base’s main gates. Brandishing flags, the group vocally pledged to “shut everything down” in opposition to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
During a live address on campus pro-Palestine protests, US President Joe Biden underscores that while the First Amendment protects free speech, violence and hate speech are unequivocally condemned. When questioned by reporters about whether the protests will alter his Israel-Palestine policy, Biden responded with a firm “No.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has lashed out at the US over its clampdown on pro-Palestinian protesters at colleges across the country.
The destruction of camps set up by the demonstrators and multiple arrests are “an example of hypocritical policies of those who teach us lessons of freedom in the Gaza massacre,” he said. Students “are exposed to violence and torture,” while the academics “are fired and lynched,” Erdogan claimed.
According to the Turkish leader, the lack of international condemnation of the actions by the US authorities can be explained by the fact that “Israel’s interests draw the boundaries of Western democracy.”
Former President Donald Trump has criticized US leader Joe Biden for his reluctance to issue a statement directly addressing the ongoing protests at colleges across the country.
“This is a radical left revolution taking place in our country,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
“Where is crooked Joe Biden? Where is governor Newscum? The danger to our country is from the left, not from the right!!!” he said, referring to Biden and Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Officers with the Los Angeles Police Department and the California Highway Patrol have made their way into the encampment of pro-Palestinian demonstrators at UCLA, ABC News, Fox News and other outlets have reported.
Videos from the scene have captured officers dismantling barricades and using what looks like stun grenades and rubber bullets against the protesters. Some students were heard shouting “We're not leaving!” and “Who do you protect?” as they tried to defend the camp. A number of people have reportedly been detained.
Palestinians in Gaza have shown gratitude to those taking part in the US college protests, CNN has reported. It said that, over the past few days, children have been seen at refugee camps across the enclave, holding signs and banners featuring the names of different universities and captions like “thanks for your solidarity.”
A doctor at al Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the Palestinian enclave told the broadcaster that he was “over the moon” due to reports of protests because it meant “that around the world there are human beings who know what is happening here in Gaza Strip right now.”
An encampment of pro-Palestine demonstrators at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire was dismantled by police late on Wednesday, just hours after being erected. At least 90 people were arrested for trespassing and resisting officers, according to the police.
New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu has thanked the security forces for “quickly” reacting to the situation. “Peaceful protests are fine, breaking the law is not,” the governor wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Using loudspeakers, police directed demonstrators at an encampment at UCLA to disperse or face arrests and misdemeanor charges, AP has reported. According to Fox News, California Highway Patrol officers with zip ties, crowd-control gear and non-lethal weapons have been deployed on site. Several hundred people remain at the camp, the broadcaster added.