Police have apprehended over 2,100 individuals amid pro-Palestinian demonstrations on U.S. college campuses in recent weeks, resorting at times to riot gear, tactical vehicles, and flash-bang devices to disperse tent encampments and occupied buildings. During the Columbia University incident, one officer unintentionally discharged his firearm inside an administration building while clearing out protesters, causing no injuries but raising concerns about safety protocols.
While body camera footage captured the incident, the district attorney’s office is conducting a review. The crackdown at Columbia resulted in the arrest of over 100 individuals, part of a broader trend of campus protests related to the Israel-Hamas conflict, with at least 50 such incidents reported across 40 U.S. colleges or universities since April 18.
Similar confrontations unfolded at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where hundreds of protesters were detained following clashes with law enforcement. These demonstrations, calling for universities to sever ties with Israel or affiliated companies, have sparked international attention, with coverage from Iranian and Qatari media outlets. Despite accusations of antisemitism and disorder, protest organizers maintain their movement’s peaceful nature, advocating for Palestinian rights and condemning the war.
President Joe Biden has affirmed students’ right to peaceful protest while expressing concern over recent disorder. The demonstrations originated at Columbia on April 17, demanding an end to the Israel-Gaza conflict, which has claimed thousands of lives. The escalation at Columbia’s Hamilton Hall echoed protests from 1968, with officers forcibly removing demonstrators occupying the building.
At UCLA, tensions escalated after a pro-Israel rally and subsequent clashes, culminating in a police dismantling of the pro-Palestinian encampment. The delayed response to violence drew criticism, prompting calls for an independent review. Similar incidents at other campuses have resulted in arrests or voluntary dispersals, while some universities have reached compromises with protesters to avoid disruptions.