Tensions rise at college protests as Johnson calls for Columbia president to resign

A demonstrator holding a sign holds up a fist after students built a protest encampment in support of Palestinians at the University of Southern California's Alumni Park on April 24, in Los Angeles, California. David Swanson/Reuters

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. 

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 Gaza and Palestinian territories, no policing on campus, and calling on USC to “end the silence on the genocide and Palestine."

There are also wider calls to cut ties with Israeli academic institutions and to cut funding from entities connected to Israel.

Pro-Palestinian protests continued at major US universities throughout Wednesday evening, even after law enforcement was called to step in and make arrests at campuses.

Pro-Palestinian protesters at Columbia University, the epicenter of demonstrations that began last week, said they won’t disperse until the school agrees to cut ties with Israeli academic institutions and commits to a “complete divestment” of its funds from entities connected to Israel, among other demands.

Tensions on multiple campuses were sparked after Hamas’ deadly October 7 attack on Israel, where militants killed about 1,200 people and took over 200 hostages. Israel responded with bombardments on Gaza that have killed more than 34,000 people after more than 200 days of war, according to the enclave's health ministry.

Some Jewish students say they are concerned for their safety on campus, and college administrators are facing increasing pressure from lawmakers to reign in protests.

Here are the latest developments:

USC Public Safety officer walks to inform students that they must disperse, as they build a protest encampment in support of Palestinians, at the University of Southern California's Alumni Park on April 24, in Los Angeles, California. Zaydee Sanchez/Reuters

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.

Student demonstrators occupy the pro-Palestinian "Gaza Solidarity Encampment" on the West Lawn of Columbia University on April 24, in New York City. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

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.

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.

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.

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 "supports free speech through open dialogue that is respectful and constructive," the officials said.

Minouche Shafik, president of Columbia University, testifies during the House Education and the Workforce Committee hearing on April 17, in Washington, DC. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc/Getty Images

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 board said it is "urgently working" with Shafik to resolve the unrest on campus and "rebuild the bonds of our community."

Amid arrests of pro-Palestine protesters across universities, the Muslim Public Affairs Council condemned calls for the deployment of the National Guard.

It said the “crackdown on students with an overwhelming militaristic force has set a dangerous precedent for university administrations nationwide.” 

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.” 

Students speak with law enforcement during a pro-Palestine protest at the University of Texas at Austin on Wednesday, April 24. Brandon Bell/Getty Images

The University of Texas at Austin Police Department said Wednesday evening that the dispersal order at the South Mall had ended.

As of 9 p.m. CT, 34 arrests were made by law enforcement on the UT Austin campus, according to an X post from the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Hours earlier, 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.

US Speaker of the House Mike Johnson speaks to the media after meeting with Jewish students, as Pro-Palestinian students and activists continue to protest the Israel-Hamas war on the campus of Columbia University in New York City on April 24. Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images

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. 

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.