The latest on pro-Palestinian campus protests
- A demonstration at New York University on Monday night turned chaotic, with the New York Police Department reporting that officers were pelted with bottles after the university called them to assist with dispersing the growing crowd.
- NYU is one of several American universities to erupt in discord amid the Israel-Hamas war.
- Police officers Monday arrested protesters who had set up an encampment on Yale University’s campus in support of the Palestinian cause.
- Classes at Columbia University’s main campus, where more than 100 students were arrested last week following protests over the war in Gaza, will be hybrid until the end of the spring semester.
- Pro-Palestinian encampments have also been established at the University of Michigan, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt.
Two arrested at Ohio State University during ‘disruptive’ protest, university says
Two people were arrested at Ohio State University in Columbus today in what the school called a disruptive protest at Meiling Hall.
The charges were not immediately available from police.
“When today’s demonstration became disruptive to the students, faculty and staff in Meiling Hall, the university issued multiple warnings,” OSU spokesperson Ben Johnson said. “When the disruptive activity continued, two individuals were arrested.”
The Columbus Dispatch newspaper reported the two arrested were students who were charged with criminal trespass. Protesters chanted “Free Palestine,” according to the newspaper.
Jewish protesters at Columbia support movement, say antisemitism is being weaponized against them
Three students from Barnard College, Columbia University's sister school, spoke to reporters today in support of pro-Palestinian protesters, saying their own stories of being Jewish anti-Zionists are being ignored.
One Iranian Jewish student, Lea, has been suspended and noted that she and fellow students "proudly put everything we have on the line, because our vision is unclouded." She said she saw the same trauma and pain of her own family reflected in the plight of Palestinians, moving her to join the protest.
"More than 15 Jewish students were arrested, suspended and evicted as punishment for protesting on their own campus," said Lea, a student who identified by first name only. "For singing songs of love and liberation for Columbia's divestment and a free Palestine."
Jewish students led a Passover Seder event at the encampment last night, and students said they held shabbat prayers over the weekend, as well.
Soph Askanase, who was arrested and suspended last week, rejected portrayals of the Jewish community as a monolith. Askanse, who uses they/them pronouns, said they felt unsafe months ago on campus when they were sprayed with chemicals during a Palestinian demonstration, and they were bedridden for days.
"I would encourage everyone to listen to a variety of perspectives and to analyze what it means to not like something or disagree with something versus to actively be in a position of being unsafe, because when you are arrested, dragged out in zipties ... that is what being unsafe is," they said.
Mahmoud Khalil said he is an international student and Palestinian refugee, who fears participating in protests because he could be arrested and eventually deported.
"And this is why a lot of Palestinian students here, they feel very uncomfortable participating and protesting ... that's why we are very grateful for everyone on campus for protesting on our behalf," Khalil said.
Rutgers accused of anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian bigotry
Two anti-discrimination groups have filed a federal civil rights complaint against Rutgers University in New Jersey, accusing the school of fostering an environment of anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian bigotry.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations and the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee filed the complaint on behalf of students who attend the university's New Brunswick campus and Newark law school.
It alleges that students who expressed anti-Zionist views, including Jewish students, were harassed and targeted for doxxing campaigns.
Incidents reported to the administration were not adequately handled, the complaint alleges, leaving Arab, Muslim, and Palestinian students living in anxiety and fear.
A man accused of vandalizing an Islamic center at the university last month on the Muslim holiday of Eid-al-Fitr has been charged with a federal hate crime.
Selaedin Maksut, executive director of the New Jersey chapter CAIR, said it was no secret that campuses have become hostile environments for Muslim and Palestinian students.
"University administrations have effectively enabled this climate of hostility and unsafe environment when they repeatedly refused to act and respond with appropriate urgency to Muslim and Palestinian students’ concerns," Maksut said.
Rutgers "abhors all forms of intolerance" and takes takes every claim of bias and hate seriously, the university said in a statement to NBC News.
"Without commenting on the specifics of any inquiry, the university always cooperates with regulators and others who recognize that the safety of our students is our top priority," the statement said.
Number of tents at UC Berkeley doubles overnight
BERKELEY, Calif. — The number of protest tents at the University of California doubled overnight as dozens of students camped out in solidarity with their pro-Palestinian counterparts at campuses across the country.
“Our movement is big and it’s formidable,” said Leila, a second-year doctoral student who asked that her last name not be used because she is afraid of being doxxed. “Berkeley cannot silence us.”
She said she wasn't concerned about university officials cracking down on the encampment, like some East Coast schools have.
“If they do, we will be here,” she said.
Hundreds of students gathered today to hear lectures on free trade, economics and Middle Eastern history. At nearby Sather Gate, a landmark leading to the center of campus, demonstrators held a sign reading: “UC YOU HAVE BLOOD ON YOUR HANDS,” in reference to investments in Israel.
University officials declined to comment on campus security measures and said it has no intention of changing its investments.
“With three weeks left in the semester, Berkeley is prioritizing students’ academic interests," university spokesman Dan Mogulof said in an emailed statement. "We will take the steps necessary to ensure the protest does not disrupt the university’s operations.”
In an exclusive interview with Lester Holt, FBI Director Christopher Wray says the bureau doesn't monitor protests, but it does “share intelligence about specific threats of violence with campuses, with state and local law enforcement.”
Over 100 protesters rally at Washington Square Park
More than 100 pro-Palestinian protestors gathered in Washington Square Park today to show solidarity with students and faculty arrested last night at NYU.
The protesters included NYU students and faculty. Student organizers condemned the arrests and called on the school to divest from its Tel Aviv campus.
“We will not rest until you divest,” the crowd chanted.
Fortress-like barricades imposed at plaza where NYU students were arrested
The New York University Stern School of Business has turned fortress-like to keep protesters from setting up tents at Gould Plaza.
A wall has been constructed with wooden panels and plastic barriers to keep people from congregating on the plaza, which is just outside the business school building. Students now have to go through enhanced security measures to enter NYU buildings.
Though a significant police presence was preventing demonstrators from gathering this morning, protests continued just a block away.
Hundreds of people joined NYU student groups in Washington Square Park later in the day, where students called for an end to the war in Gaza. Protesters also demanded that the university divest money from Israeli-linked companies and shut down its Tel Aviv campus.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams told reporters today that he believes some of the aggressive incidents seen in recent days were caused by outsiders.
"We should address this while it is just a spark. Let's not wait until they are a blazing fire," Adams said.
He did not provide evidence to support the claim but asked for universities to help identify their students.
Only 120 detained at NYU protest, lower than previous police estimate
The New York Police Department reduced the official number of people detained at last night's New York University protest.
Earlier, police estimated that around 150 were detained, but they clarified Tuesday that it was 120 people. Of those, 116 were issued summonses in relation to trespassing and four people were given desk appearance tickets.
The four people given tickets were accused of resisting arrest and obstructing governmental administration, according to the department.
9 University of Minnesota students arrested after starting encampment
A group of University of Minnesota students were arrested this morning, a few hours after setting up an encampment, according to a university statement.
The school's chapter of Students for a Democratic Society announced it was setting up tents on the Northrop Mall area of campus at 4 a.m. It posted a list of demands, including that the university divest from companies "complicit in war crimes and human rights violations."
Campus police arrived at 6 a.m. and an hour later told the students to disperse because they were not allowed to erect tents without a permit and were violating trespassing laws. Some left but nine continued to protest and were arrested, the University of Minnesota said.
"As a public research university, demonstrations where groups express diverse views and opinions occur regularly on our campus," the school said. "We support the rights of all members of our University community to speak and demonstrate peacefully."
'As long as I can, I will be here,' Yale student says amid arrests
Dozens of Yale University students were arrested on trespassing charges while occupying Beinecke Plaza on campus to demand transparency on the private school's financial ties to Israel.
"As a Jew, as a Yale Student, as an American, I feel strongly that I do not want the continued killing to happen in my name and with my money," said student Miriam Levine. "And so as long as I can, I will be here."
Students told NBC affiliate WVIT that they have been demanding that Yale divest for weeks. Their protest moved onto the sidewalk and blocked a public intersection following the plaza arrests.
Seattle-area high schoolers and colleges to walk out in protest
Hundreds of Seattle-area students are planning a walkout today in protest of the Israel-Hamas war, demanding an end to U.S. support of Israel and the Israeli occupation in the Palestinian territories, according to The Seattle Times.
The newspaper reports that there are two dozen high schools and colleges participating in the Puget Sound region. As Passover kicks off, there are fears the walkout could incite antisemitic incidents, Solly Kane, Jewish Federation of Seattle president, told NBC affiliate KING.
“We’re looking for people of good conscience to be our partners and allies in calling out hate and calling out antisemitism,” Kane said.
An organizer of the event told The Seattle Times that they were unaware when they chose April 23 that it would coincide with the Passover holiday.
Columbia President Shafik faces a censure resolution
The Columbia University chapter of the American Association of University Professors is planning to submit a “Resolution of Censure” against Columbia's President Minouche Shafik, her administration and the co-chairs of the Board of Trustees to the University Senate.
The resolution was drafted over the weekend after Shafik authorized the NYPD to clear the “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” on campus Thursday, resulting in mass arrests.
“President Shafik’s violation of the fundamental requirements of academic freedom and shared governance, and her unprecedented assault on students’ rights, warrants unequivocal and emphatic condemnation,” the resolution said.
It stressed that it is not calling for Shafik’s resignation, rather for a "recommitment" to "strict adherence to the norms of academic freedom, shared governance, freedom of assembly, and due process in all actions involving faculty, students, and staff."
Columbia AAUP said it hopes to introduce the resolution to the full Senate tomorrow.
150 arrested at Monday night NYU protest
About 150 people were arrested last night during protests at New York University in Manhattan, the NYPD said.
Police added that number is not final.
Protesters pelted officers with bottles at NYU, NYPD says
Officers were pelted with bottles after they tried to clear protesters at New York University on Monday at the school's request, a New York police deputy commissioner said.
"When NYU asked the NYPD to clear Gould Plaza of individuals who were refusing to disperse and were interfering with the safety and security of our community, our officers moved in without delay," Kaz Daughtry wrote in a post on X.
He added: "Unfortunately, as they were dispersing the crowd, some chose violence and pelted the police with bottles. The professionalism and composure our officers showed as they cleared the plaza — despite these dangerous acts of aggression they encountered — are to be commended."
Growing crowds, antisemitic incidents led NYU to call NYPD, school says
What started as a demonstration of 50 protesters in front of the business school quickly devolved, leading NYU to call the New York Police Department for assistance, the school said.
In a statement, NYU spokesperson John Beckman said the university "was deeply disturbed" when more protesters, many of whom school officials believe were not affiliated with NYU, breached the barriers that had been put in place — a violation of directions from campus safety officers and multiple university rules.
He added: “This development dramatically changed the situation. We witnessed disorderly, disruptive, and antagonizing behavior that has interfered with the safety and security of our community, and that demonstrated how quickly a demonstration can get out of control or people can get hurt. At one point, we explained to the protesters that they needed to disband in an hour, and there would be no adverse consequences."
Beckman said officials also learned that there were intimidating chants and several antisemitic incidents reported.
"Given the foregoing and the safety issues raised by the breach, we asked for assistance from the NYPD. The police urged those on the plaza to leave peacefully, but ultimately made a number of arrests," he said.
NYU will continue to support individuals’ right to freedom of expression, but "the safety of our students and maintaining an equitable learning environment remain paramount," Beckman said.
University of Michigan increases security on campus
At the University of Michigan, where 20 tents were placed on the main quadrangle Monday, the school said it is "working to minimize disruptions to university operations."
While students are able to engage in peaceful protest in many places on campus, "the university has a responsibility to maintain an environment that is conducive to learning and academic success. No one has the right to substantially disrupt university activities or to violate laws or university policies," Colleen Mastony, the university's assistant vice president for public affairs, said in a statement.
She added: "We are working to minimize disruptions to university operations — most especially with classes ending tomorrow and the study period beginning before finals. Safety is always a key priority and, as such, we have increased security on campus. We are carefully monitoring the situation and remain prepared to appropriately address any harassment or threats against any member of our community."
Columbia-Barnard Hillel: 'We are horrified by incidents of antisemitism'
The executive board of Columbia University and Barnard College's Hillel said Monday it was "horrified by incidents of antisemitism and violence" on and outside of campus the past few days.
"We know that many Jewish students, no matter where they stand on Israel, have been deeply upset by recent events on campus. We share in your pain," the organization shared on social media.
“CB Hillel is and will always continue to be a space for all Jewish students, regardless of of political, religious or other affiliation," it added, noting that the Kraft Center, which " houses all aspects of Jewish life" will remain open.
"Both CB Hillel professionals and the student executive board are available and want to support you. We welcome all of our students to reach out for individual chats, join us to celebrate Passover, spend time away from the campus climate if needed, or join one of our many speakers or spaces for dialogue to discuss the ongoing war,” the group said. "We hope that this Passover brings peace to our campus and those suffering round the world."