In recent weeks, nearly 2,200 anti-Israel protesters have been arrested at college campuses across the United States. Police have had to use riot gear, tactical vehicles, and flash-bang devices to clear tent encampments and occupied buildings to restore order. The protesters are voicing their criticism of the Israel-Hamas war and the increasing civilian death toll among Palestinians. The arrests have taken place at various universities, with Columbia University and University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) seeing a significant number of protesters arrested as they camped out in administration buildings and defied orders to leave.
A tally by The Associated Press recorded at least 56 unique arrests at 43 different U.S. colleges or universities since April 18. Police have taken action against protesters at schools such as UCLA, Portland State University, Emory University, Dartmouth College, and the University of Southern California, among others. At UCLA, at least 200 protesters were arrested after fortifying their encampment with barricades made of plywood, pallets, metal fences, and dumpsters. Despite warnings to leave, protesters refused to do so, leading to the arrests by law enforcement.
On April 18, the NYPD cleared an initial encampment at Columbia University and arrested around 100 protesters. Demonstrators then set up new tents and defied threats of suspension. The protests at Columbia began on April 17, with students calling for an end to the Israel-Hamas conflict, which has resulted in over 34,000 Palestinian deaths in the Gaza Strip, according to the Health Ministry. President Biden finally addressed the protests after days of silence, defending the right to peaceful protest but decrying violence. The protests have also taken place at schools such as the University of Texas at Austin, the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, and Cal Poly Humboldt.
Protest encampments at various schools across the U.S. have been cleared by police or closed voluntarily, resulting in more arrests. Some universities, including the University of Minnesota, Northwestern University, Rutgers University, and Brown University, have reached agreements with protesters to not disrupt commencements or have made other compromises. The protesters at UCLA were calling on the university to stop doing business with Israel and companies they believe support Israel’s actions in the conflict. On Thursday, Jacksonville Sheriff’s officers arrested over a dozen anti-Israel protesters at the University of North Florida.
Overall, the protests have led to a significant number of arrests, with law enforcement agencies taking action to clear encampments and restore order on college campuses. The protesters are demanding an end to the Israel-Hamas war and expressing their criticism of Israel’s actions in the conflict. The demonstrations have sparked a national conversation and have drawn attention to the ongoing crisis in the Gaza Strip and the escalating tensions in the region. President Biden’s response to the protests highlighted the importance of peaceful protest while condemning violence and disruptions on college campuses. The future of the protests and the impact on college communities remains to be seen as tensions continue to rise.
