Anti-Israel protests are continuing to disrupt several prominent universities across America.
As per Reuters, a demonstration at the University of Texas at Austin on Thursday led to a large-scale confrontation, with police on horseback and wielding batons clashing with hundreds of pro-Arab protesters. State troopers were called in by the governor, and 34 arrests were made. University President Jay Hartzell defended the actions, stating, “Our rules matter, and they will be enforced. Our University will not be occupied.”
Northwestern University quickly changed its student code of conduct on Thursday morning to prohibit tent encampments as pro-Palestinian activists set one up on the Evanston campus. University President Michael Schill warned of disciplinary actions, including suspension, expulsion, and criminal charges for violations of the new policy.
The University of Southern California preemptively canceled on Thursday its upcoming main graduation ceremony, citing safety concerns after more than 90 protesters were arrested Wednesday night for trespassing, with one arrested for alleged assault with a deadly weapon. The University said smaller individual school ceremonies would still take place. USC had previously canceled a commencement speech by a pro-Arab valedictorian.
Meanwhile, at Columbia University in New York, pro-Hamas demonstrators are continuing to encamp on campus illegally, demanding the University cut financial ties with Israel and companies involved in helping the Jewish State win its war in Gaza. Negotiations between protest leaders and university administrators have been intermittent, with talks breaking down Tuesday night after the university allegedly threatened to send in police and the National Guard, according to the report.
