Police officers took protesters into custody following a request from Columbia University to end a pro-Palestinian occupation on their New York campus.
The situation unfolded after 9 p.m. on Tuesday when police, equipped with helmets, zip ties, and riot shields, gathered at the university’s entrance.
At the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), opposing groups of protesters clashed on Wednesday, engaging in fistfights and shoving matches.
Earlier, police intervened at Columbia University to break up a demonstration staged by pro-Palestinian protesters who had occupied a building, disrupting campus activities.
Scuffles between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli demonstrators at UCLA were eventually calmed by police forming lines to separate the groups.
Similar protests have emerged across the United States, with encampments at various universities demanding divestment from Israel or companies supporting conflict in Gaza.
This movement has drawn comparisons to student protests during the Vietnam War era.
At UCLA, tensions rose around a tent encampment erected by pro-Palestinian protesters, with clashes involving fireworks and physical altercations.
The Los Angeles mayor condemned the violence, and police presence was heightened on campus to maintain order.
In New York City, Columbia University sought police assistance to clear an occupied building and encampment. The university cited vandalism and disruptions caused by protesters as reasons for calling in law enforcement.
The wave of demonstrations began at Columbia in response to Israel’s actions in Gaza, leading to nationwide protests at universities. Some universities have negotiated with protesters, while others have resorted to police intervention to restore order on campus.
Critics have labeled the protests as antisemitic, but organizers argue they are peaceful and aimed at advocating for Palestinian rights.
The situation remains tense as universities navigate demands for divestment amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
