NEW YORK — As the next graduation ceremonies approached on Tuesday, US universities were scrambling to figure out how to clear camps of pro-Palestinian protesters, with some continuing negotiations and others resorting to force and ultimatums that resulted in arrests and clashes with the police.
Dozens of people were arrested on Monday during protests at universities in Texas and Virginia, while Columbia University in New York said it had begun suspending students.
Protesters are arguing about the war between Israel and Hamas and its rising death toll, and the number of arrests on campuses across the country is approaching 1,000 as the last days of school end. The outcry is forcing universities to reckon with their financial ties to Israel as well as their support for free speech. Some Jewish students say the protests have turned into anti-Semitism and made them afraid to set foot on campus.
At the University of Texas at Austin, a lawyer said at least 40 protesters were arrested on Monday. The clash was an escalation on the state capital’s 53,000-student campus, where more than 50 protesters were arrested last week.
The plight of students who were arrested has become a central part of the protests, with students and a growing number of teachers demanding amnesty for protesters. The question is whether suspensions and legal records will follow students into their adult lives.
The protest in Texas and others – including in Canada and Europe – grew out of early demonstrations in Colombia that have continued. On Monday, student activists at the school’s Manhattan campus defied a 2 p.m. deadline to leave an encampment of about 120 tents. Instead, hundreds of protesters remained. A handful of counter-protesters waved Israeli flags and one held a sign that read: “Where are the anti-Hamas chants?”
While the university did not call police to evict protesters, school spokesman Ben Chang said suspensions had begun but could provide few details. Protest organizers said they were not aware of any suspensions as of Monday night.
Colombia’s handling of the demonstrations also drew federal complaints.
A class action lawsuit on behalf of Jewish students alleges a breach of contract by Columbia, alleging that the university failed to maintain a safe learning environment despite policies and promises. It also challenges the move away from in-person classes and seeks swift legal action demanding that Columbia provide security to students.
Meanwhile, a legal group representing pro-Palestinian students is urging the U.S. Department of Education’s civil rights office to investigate Colombia’s compliance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the way they were treated.
A university spokesperson declined to comment on the complaints.
In a rare case, Northwestern University said it reached a settlement with students and faculty who represent the majority of protesters on its campus near Chicago. It allows peaceful demonstrations until the end of spring classes on June 1, and in return requires the removal of all but one aid tent and restricts the demonstration area to allow only students, faculty and staff unless the university approves otherwise.
At the University of Southern California, organizers of a large camp sat down with university president Carol Folt for about 90 minutes on Monday. Folt declined to discuss details but said he had heard protesters’ concerns and that negotiations would continue on Tuesday.
USC sparked controversy on April 15 when officials refused to allow the valedictorian, who has publicly supported Palestinians, to give a commencement address, citing security concerns not specific to their rare decision. Administrators then canceled the speech by filmmaker Jon M. Chu, who is an alumnus, and refused to award any honorary degrees.
The backlash, as well as the Columbia demonstrations, inspired the camp and protests on campus last week, where 90 people were arrested by police in riot gear. The university canceled its main graduation event.
Administrators elsewhere have tried to save their formations and several have ordered the clearing of camps in recent days. When these efforts failed, authorities threatened disciplinary measures, including suspension and possible imprisonment.
But students insisted on other top universities, with impasses continuing at Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, Yale and others. Police in riot gear at Virginia Commonwealth University tried to break up an encampment there Monday night and clashed with protesters.
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Vertuno reported from Austin, Texas, and Mattise reported from Nashville, Tennessee. Associated Press journalists from across the country contributed to this report, including Sarah Brumfield, Stefanie Dazio, Christopher Weber, Carolyn Thompson, David Collins, Makiya Seminera and Corey Williams.
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