Our live coverage of the protests has moved here
April 24, 2024 - US university protests
By Adrienne Vogt, Christina Zdanowicz, Elise Hammond, Samantha Delouya, Chandelis Duster, Tori B. Powell, Emma Tucker, Elizabeth Wolfe and Kathleen Magramo, CNN
Updated 2:05 a.m. ET, April 25, 2024
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Nearly 100 people arrested at USC, police say
From CNN's Elizabeth Wolfe and Josh Campbell
The Los Angeles Police Department said 93 people were arrested on suspicion of trespassing during Wednesday's demonstrations at the University of Southern California.
"The university is a private campus and the group had been violating some of their orders. It was a trespass at that point and we assisted with the arrests," Los Angeles Police Captain Kelly Muniz said during a briefing.
One person was also arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, Muniz said. She did not provide further details.
No protesters or officers have been reported injured, police said.
Some context: USC's Department of Public Safety ordered protesters gathering at the campus' Alumni Park Wednesday afternoon to disperse or face arrest for trespassing.
At one point during the demonstrations, tensions escalated as protesters refused to relocate and remove their tents and other prohibited items, a university official said.
The university closed its campus Wednesday evening as LAPD began arresting demonstrators.
Negotiations at Columbia University unstable, organizers say
From CNN's Kathleen Magramo
Negotiations between protesters and Columbia University officials about clearing the encampment on its lawn that had been extended for 48 hours have been “unstable," said Esha Karam, managing director of Columbia Daily Spectator, citing student organizers.
"We're about halfway through that extended deadline of 48 hours and we heard from organizers on the student front earlier today in a press conference who told us that the negotiations are ongoing so unstable at the moment," Karam told CNN.
There's still around another 24 hours to go until the extended deadline "but really after that, we don't really know where things are going,” Karam added.
House Speaker Mike Johnson called Wednesday for the resignation of the university’s president if she can't "bring order to this chaos."
Student reactions to calls for the college president's resignation have been mixed, Karam said.
She said there are “some who are willing to see her continue to lead and continue to work with her.”
Cal Poly Humboldt campus to remain closed through weekend as protesters occupy buildings
From CNN’s Cindy Von Quednow
The California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt campus will remain closed through the weekend as protesters, including "unidentified non-students," continue to occupy two buildings, school officials said in an update.
Work and classes will remain remote, and officials are considering keeping the campus closed for longer.
“There are unidentified non-students with unknown intentions, in Siemens Hall,” the officials said.
“This creates an unpredictable environment. In addition, all entrances to the building are barricaded, creating a fire hazard. Adding to health and safety concerns, many toilets are no longer working.”
Other buildings on the campus in Arcata are at risk of being occupied, and protesters “have shown a willingness” to lock themselves in facilities and steal equipment, the officials said.
“Campus officials are communicating with protestors and continuing to encourage them to leave as soon as possible.”
Graffiti described as “hateful” has been painted on campus, the officials said.
“The University condemns in the strongest terms all forms of hatred, bigotry, and violence. Anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, hatred, and bigotry in all forms have no place at Cal Poly Humboldt.”
The university "supports free speech through open dialogue that is respectful and constructive," the officials said.
"That does not include behavior that involves destroying and damaging property, and disrupting students, faculty, and staff from learning, teaching, and working. Everyone deserves to be in an environment where everyone can feel safe, included, and respected.”
Fox 7 photographer among those arrested at University of Texas at Austin
From CNN’s Joe Sutton
A photographer was among those arrested during clashes between protesters and law enforcement on the University of Texas at Austin campus on Wednesday.
Fox 7 reported that their photographer was detained and arrested. The station did not identify the employee.
In an evening update, the Texas Department of Public Safety said that 34 arrests had been made by law enforcement on the campus as of 9 p.m.
CNN has contacted Texas DPS, UT Austin Police, and UT Austin for information on this arrest.
Columbia University Board of Trustees voices support for embattled president
From CNN's Rob Frehse
The Columbia University Board of Trustees released a statement Wednesday saying they strongly support President Minouche Shafik, who has faced calls for her resignation amid intense pressure to rein in days-long protests.
“The Columbia University Board of Trustees strongly supports President Shafik as she steers the university through this extraordinarily challenging time,” the board said in a statement Wednesday. “During the search process for this role, President Shafik told us that she would always take a thoughtful approach to resolving conflict, balancing the disparate voices that make up a vibrant campus like Columbia’s, while taking a firm stance against hatred, harassment and discrimination.”
“That's exactly what she's doing now,” the trustees added.
The board said it is "urgently working" with Shafik to resolve the unrest on campus and "rebuild the bonds of our community."
UT Austin Police give "all clear" for dispersal order as authorities arrest more than 30 protesters
The University of Texas at Austin Police Department said in a statement on X Wednesday evening that "the dispersal order at the South Mall has ended. All University rules are still in effect."
As of 9 p.m. CT, 34 arrests have been made by law enforcement on the UT Austin campus, according to an X post from the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Muslim Public Affairs Council condemns calls for National Guard to be deployed against protesters
From CNN's Kathleen Magramo
Amid arrests of pro-Palestine protesters across universities, the Muslim Public Affairs Council condemned calls for the deployment of the National Guard, saying the “crackdown on students with an overwhelming militaristic force has set a dangerous precedent for university administrations nationwide.”
“The Muslim Public Affairs Council calls on the people of conscience, including faculty and leaders, to oppose threats to deploy the National Guard on the Gaza Solidarity Encampment at Columbia University, whose aim is to push back against the university’s continued financial investment in corporations that profit from Israeli apartheid, genocide, and occupation in Palestine,” the council said in a statement Wednesday.
MPAC urged for a reevaluation of strategies used to handle protests on campuses across the country and says it advocates for “approaches that emphasize de-escalation and address students’ concerns through constructive means rather than force and intimidation.”
In a previous statement on Tuesday, MPAC accused the White House of having double standards for issuing a response condemning violence and physical intimidation against Jewish students at Columbia University, but says the administration “consistently fails to extend the same sentiments to students who face repeated violence, intimidation, doxing, and harassment for their pro-Palestinian advocacy.”
LAPD arrest about 50 protesters at USC
From CNN's Stephanie Becker and Nick Watt
The Los Angeles Police Department arrested approximately 50 protestors at the University of Southern California after campus police gave a dispersal order to demonstrators, according to a CNN crew at the scene.
Campus police announced earlier that anyone who stayed in the area would be subject to criminal trespass laws.
Video from the scene showed protestors not resisting arrest as LAPD handcuffed them with zip ties and escorted them away from the ongoing protest.
