Riot police mobilized at U.S. universities following violent protests over the Gaza war. At the University of California, Los Angeles, dozens of police cars responded to overnight clashes where counter-protesters targeted a pro-Palestinian student encampment.
A significant police presence was also reported at Columbia University in New York City, the focal point of demonstrations. Police entered the campus late Tuesday to disperse protestors.
Students at both universities expressed dismay at the heavy police presence. Mark Torre, a 22-year-old UCLA student, reluctantly acknowledged the necessity of police on campus to maintain safety.
At Columbia and the City University of New York, students criticized the police for their aggressive tactics during the clear-out. Jose, a CUNY student, reported rough treatment, resulting in injuries.
Isabel, a medical student, treated several detainees, noting severe injuries among them. Around 300 arrests occurred at Columbia and CUNY, according to Police Commissioner Edward Caban.
Mayor Eric Adams attributed the heightened tensions to “outside agitators,” a claim students at Columbia contested. The university’s president, Minouche Shafik, expressed regret over the situation.
The wave of campus unrest has been widespread, with demonstrations at about 30 U.S. universities. These protests challenge administrators as they navigate between upholding free speech and addressing allegations of criminal activity and hate speech.
The White House emphasized the right to peaceful protest within legal bounds. In contrast, Donald Trump praised the police response and urged college presidents to act decisively against protestors.
At Columbia, police entered through a second-floor window of Hamilton Hall, which protesters had barricaded, and cleared a large tent encampment.
In Los Angeles, counter-protesters used fireworks and chemical substances against a pro-Palestinian encampment. Police intervention followed these confrontations.
At the University of Texas in Dallas and the University of Arizona, police also dismantled student encampments, using force in Arizona to disperse protesters.
The ongoing Gaza conflict began with a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, resulting in significant casualties. In retaliation, Israeli actions have led to over 34,500 deaths in Gaza, mostly among women and children.
