Police on campuses at Columbia and UCLA. Here’s the latest on the protests disrupting US universities

Police on campuses at Columbia and UCLA. Here’s the latest on the protests disrupting US universities

More than 100 people were arrested at Columbia University and the City College of New York on Tuesday night, according to a law enforcement official, as protests against Israel’s bombing of Gaza intensified across college campuses across the country.

Police in riot gear entered Columbia University’s Hamilton Hall and used flashbangs as they breached the building, where pro-Palestinian protesters had barricaded themselves. Less than two hours after officers entered the school’s campus in Morningside Heights, Columbia University property was cleared.

Columbia has asked the NYPD to remain on campus until May 17, two days after its graduation ceremony, but protesters remain defiant.

Columbia has been the epicenter, but protests have rocked universities across the country.

In Los Angeles, police have arrived on campus at UCLA, Mayor Karen Bass said earlier Wednesday. Before the deployment, pro-Palestinian protesters and Israeli supporters clashed at UCLA, according to several reports.

“The violence that took place this evening at UCLA is absolutely disgusting and inexcusable,” the mayor said in a post on X.

Here are the latest developments at other campuses

University of North Carolina Chapel Hill: At least 36 protesters were detained at a camp. Police officers were seen physically pushing back the protesters. Protesters took down the US campus flag and replaced it with a Palestinian flag.
University of Florida: Five people, including two students, were arrested during the demonstration. Two of the five individuals are current FSU students, the school said
University of Texas-Austin: Police presence on campus and arrests are a “decreasing” source of law enforcement, Travis County prosecutor Delia Garza said, and called on the university to begin a compromise with organizers of student protests. Nearly 80 people were arrested on campus Monday and Garza’s office is processing at least 65 cases of criminal trespassing, he said.
University of Southern California: President Carol Folt engaged in a second meeting with protesters on campus, but no agreement was reached
Occupied building and security: Portland State University President Ann Cudd asked students to leave the library they were occupying voluntarily and said the university is in contact with police about removing students.
Camps cleared: Some universities, such as Yale and Brown, have cleared protest camps after reaching agreements with students. Brown University student protesters have reached an agreement to disband their encampment after the university agreed to hold a vote on divestment from companies that support Israel.