U.S. colleges crack down on pro-Palestinian protesters as police make arrests

Colleges across the United States are escalating their response to pro-Palestinian student demonstrations, with several universities taking decisive action to clear tent encampments. Police arrested six demonstrators at the University of Texas, while Columbia University announced it was beginning to suspend students who defied an ultimatum to disband their encampment. At the University of Texas, law enforcement officers, many in riot gear, confronted protesters and used pepper spray after a group blocked a police van carrying arrested demonstrators.

Meanwhile, at Columbia University, student activists continued their demonstration despite a deadline to disband, resulting in the suspension of students. The protests, sparked by the Israel-Hamas war, have spread to campuses nationwide and even to Europe, prompting nearly 1,000 arrests. The demonstrations have led to remote classes, cancellations of graduation ceremonies, and conflicts between students and university administrations.