Police dismantled a protest camp at the University of Texas on Wednesday, leading to the arrest of over a dozen individuals, amidst ongoing unrest related to Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza across various US campuses.
In New York, law enforcement also apprehended several individuals at Fordham University and dispersed an encampment established within a school building. Meanwhile, police remained on alert at Columbia University following widespread arrests the previous night.
In Cambridge, Massachusetts, demonstrators maintained their presence, obstructing a thoroughfare near the heart of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology campus during the busy Wednesday afternoon rush hour.
Dozens of police cars were deployed in response to overnight violent clashes, at the University of California, Los Angeles, during which counter-protesters assaulted a encampment of pro-Palestinian students.
Meanwhile, at the University of Texas Dallas, police dismantled an encampment and arrested at least 17 individuals for “criminal trespass,” as reported by the institution.
Across at least 30 US universities since last month, demonstrators have convened, frequently setting up tent encampments to protest the escalating casualty count in the Gaza Strip.
The presence of heavily armed officers at two esteemed American universities stirred concern among some students.
“I don’t believe such a strong police presence belongs on our campus,” remarked 22-year-old UCLA student Mark Torre, observing the situation from behind metal barricades. “But as time goes on, I’m beginning to see it as a necessary measure, albeit reluctantly, to ensure campus safety.”
At Columbia University and the City University of New York (CUNY), where police dispersed demonstrators overnight, certain students condemned the actions of law enforcement.
“We were attacked, aggressively arrested. I was detained for about six hours, released with injuries – I got kicked, cut,” shared a CUNY student identified only as Jose.
A medical student providing aid to those released recounted a series of injuries suffered by the detainees.
“We’ve witnessed severe head injuries, concussions, someone was rendered unconscious in the encampment by police, and someone was thrown down the stairs,” stated the student identified as Isabel.
Approximately 300 arrests occurred at Columbia and CUNY, according to Police Commissioner Edward Caban.
Mayor Eric Adams attributed the escalated tensions to “outside agitators.” However, Columbia students have refuted claims of external involvement.
University president Minouche Shafik, who faced criticism for involving police, expressed profound sadness over the turn of events. “I am sorry we reached this point,” she stated in a released statement.
