By Elise Hammond, Chandelis Duster, Kathleen Magramo, Elizabeth Wolfe, Aya Elamroussi, Lauren Mascarenhas and Tori B. Powell, CNN
Updated 2:11 a.m. ET, April 26, 2024
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6:07 a.m. ET, April 25, 2024
USC protest ends, with campus to remain closed
From CNN's Melissa Alonso
The tense protest at the University of Southern California has ended, but the campus will remain closed until further notice, the university said late Wednesday.
“Students, faculty, staff, and people with business on campus may enter with proper identification," USC said in a social media post.
Some background: Earlier Wednesday, the university closed its campus as LAPD began arresting demonstrators. Nearly 100 people were arrested after the university had ordered protesters at the campus' Alumni Park to disperse.
4:43 a.m. ET, April 25, 2024
Tensions at USC escalated when police entered campus, student paper editor says
From CNN's Kathleen Magramo
Tensions escalated once police entered the University of Southern California campus, according to Jonathan Park, an editor of the Daily Trojan, the college’s newspaper.
“When we saw the LAPD coming in from Vermont Avenue and working with campus officers, encircling on them, it definitely changed the mood,” Park told CNN’s Anna Coren.
Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered at USC’s Alumni Park around 4 a.m. local time on Wednesday and were largely peaceful until scuffles broke out between police and demonstrators over posting signs on trees around noon, Park said.
One person was arrested but quickly released following loud chants from protesters saying to “let him go,” according to CNN correspondent Nick Watts reporting from the scene.
The Los Angeles Police Department said 93 people were later arrested on suspicion of trespassing during Wednesday's demonstrations at USC.
Protester demands: Park said the protesters had six demands, among them an academic boycott of Israel, protecting free speech on campus, stopping displacement in Palestinian territories, no policing on campus, and calling on USC to “end the silence on the genocide and Palestine."
2:31 a.m. ET, April 25, 2024
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.
2:24 a.m. ET, April 25, 2024
Here's what students at Columbia University are saying about the protests
From CNN's Kathleen Magramo
There is growing tension at Columbia University amid the pro-Palestinian protests on the New York campus.
Student protesters against Israel's assault on Gaza are demanding Columbia cut all financial ties with Israel.
"It's pretty disheartening to see all this on campus. I will say I think a lot of people are misguided," said Michael D'Agostino, a senior student at the university.
While most protests have been non-violent, some Jewish students are expressing concern for their safety.
"The antisemitic comments and activity is running rampant," said Jessica Schwalb, a Jewish student at Columbia.
The university recently shifted to hybrid classes due to safety concerns, allowing students to take classes and final exams online.
"It's making harder to go to classes and everything. And things are switching to going remote," said Rony Anyin, a sophomore student.
1:34 a.m. ET, April 25, 2024
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.”
2:50 a.m. ET, April 25, 2024
Columbia University Board of Trustees voices support for embattled president
From CNN's Rob Frehse
Th 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."
1:33 a.m. ET, April 25, 2024
Muslim Public Affairs Council condemns calls for National Guard to be deployed against protesters
It said 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, 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.”
12:17 p.m. ET, April 25, 2024
Sheriff says 57 arrests were made at the University of Texas, Austin campus
From CNN staff
Travis County Sheriff's office said Thursday that 57 arrests were made at the University of Texas, Austin campus.
On Wednesday university police had warned students in an email that they faced more arrests if they didn't disperse from the site.
Assistant Police Chief Ashley Griffin wrote in the email that protesters were violating the law and could be arrested for disorderly conduct, rioting, and obstructing a highway or other passageway, according to an email obtained by CNN.
Some context: The Palestine Solidarity Committee in Austin organized a walkout and occupation on the school's South Lawn in Austin.
It led to multiple confrontations between police officers, state troopers "in full riot gear with batons" and the students, Amelia Kimball, associate managing editor at The Daily Texan, told CNN News Central.
"I don't think students were expecting this kind of a response," she said.
1:24 a.m. ET, April 25, 2024
House Speaker Mike Johnson calls on Columbia's president resign
From CNN's Haley Talbot, Clare Foran and Lauren Fox
House Speaker Mike Johnson called on Columbia University President Nemat "Minouche" Shafik to resign during a tense press conference Wednesday.
The crowd repeatedly interrupted the speaker and booed him and other GOP lawmakers who were with him as they stood at the mics.
“We just can't allow this kind of hatred and antisemitism to flourish on our campuses, and it must be stopped in its tracks. Those who are perpetrating this violence should be arrested. I am here today, joining my colleagues and calling on President Shafik to resign if she cannot immediately bring order to this chaos,” Johnson said.
Johnson visited Columbia University to meet Jewish students and delivered remarks along with other Republican lawmakers. Johnson’s words come as he faces his own onslaught of conservative criticism and as a handful of House members have threatened to oust him.
The speaker said he met with Shafik and other top university administrators Wednesday and urged her to take immediate action to address the unrest on campus.
"Our feeling is that they have not acted to restore order on the campus,” he said.
Johnson said he would call President Joe Biden immediately after departing the campus and demand he take action, not ruling out the need for the National Guard to step in at some point.
“My intention is to call President Biden after we leave here and share with him what we have seen with our own two eyes and demand that he take action, there is executive authority that would be appropriate. If this is not contained quickly, and if these threats and intimidation are not stopped, there is an appropriate time for the National Guard,” he said.