Pro-Palestinian Protests Escalate on U.S. Campuses

Confrontations between pro-Palestinian protesters and police are escalating on campuses across the United States following a day of intense clashes at institutions such as Columbia University, the City College of New York, Fordham University, the University of Wisconsin, and UCLA.

Protests initially erupted as a response to Israel‘s actions in Gaza, with activists calling for universities to divest from companies with ties to Israel. In New York, around 300 individuals were arrested after New York police forces entered and cleared out occupied buildings at Columbia University and the City College of New York.

Further arrests were made at Fordham University, where 15 protestors were detained, and at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, with 34 individuals taken into custody. Los Angeles, specifically UCLA, witnessed particularly intense confrontations, prompting the university’s chancellor to cancel all classes for the day.

In light of the escalating tensions and significant arrests, the University of Vermont has announced its intention to disclose its investment portfolio this week, as demands for divestment from companies associated with Israel continue to gain momentum among protesters.

Notably, the Washington Post has been closely monitoring the developments on various campuses, with the total number of arrests across the nation exceeding 1,700 as of now.