Students Clash With Authorities - USA

Campus tensions have escalated in the United States as students from various colleges and universities confront government authorities over the conflict in Gaza. According to USA Today, a wave of arrests has swept through student protesters this week.

On a recent Tuesday, New York City police detained approximately 300 individuals at both Columbia University and the City College of New York, which is part of the CUNY network. The previous day saw 79 arrests at the University of Texas in Austin following altercations with protesters. Tulane University in New Orleans reported the arrest of 14 individuals at what was described as an “illegal encampment.” Additionally, Arizona State University witnessed over 70 arrests during the past weekend.

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Amidst these events, Jewish students on various campuses have labeled the protests as antisemitic and voiced concerns for their personal safety. Conversely, numerous pro-Palestinian demonstrators are calling for their institutions to sever financial ties with Israeli military endeavors.

The situation intensified following the expulsion and arrest of students at Columbia University, leading to widespread protests across the nation, some of which have turned into round-the-clock sit-ins. Demonstrations have occurred at several prestigious universities, including Yale, New York University, Harvard, the University of Texas at Austin, and the University of Southern California, among others.

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New York University has given the city’s police force authorization to dismantle any encampments on their grounds. Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry of the New York Police Department stated, “We are present at the university’s request, and our officers are providing assistance with the utmost professionalism that characterizes our force.”

Furthermore, the police have reported additional arrests at Portland State University’s library following repeated unauthorized entries, despite security measures. The initial count indicates 30 arrests throughout the day, with law enforcement continuing to monitor and respond to any unlawful activities.

The authorities have also reported instances of vandalism during these events, including an incident where a suspect sprayed a fire extinguisher at an officer, leading to an altercation. As a result, seven officers sustained injuries, with the most severe being a knee injury that necessitated hospitalization via ambulance. The extent of the other injuries is currently under evaluation, with some being minor, as per the Portland police department’s statement.