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Spectacular views and state-of-the-art interactive experiences greet visitors to Segal Visitors Center. Completed in 2014, the striking, modern building is the perfect start for a campus visit. 

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Northwestern University students set up pro-Palestine tent encampment on campus

CHICAGO (CBS) --  Dozens of Northwestern University students on Thursday joined the pro-Palestine protests sweeping college campuses across the country .

A group of Northwestern students set up a tent encampment Thursday morning in Deering Meadow on the university's campus in Evanston. Protesters also posted a sign reading "Free Gaza Liberated Zone." Pro-Palestinian protesters at college campuses across the country have described similar encampments as "liberated zones."

Organizers with the Northwestern chapters of Educators for Justice in Palestine, Jewish Voice for Peace, Student Liberation Union accused the university of censoring pro-Palestinian speech on campus.

"The ongoing ethnic cleansing and genocide of the people of Gaza has made Palestinians victims of what is one of the most brutal war crimes in modern history. Because of this, Northwestern students, faculty, and staff are putting their bodies, education, and jobs on the line to stand with the Palestinian people," the groups said in a statement. "Northwestern students report the administration is curtailing free speech. The school is intimidating both students and educators who speak out against Israeli apartheid and occupation. The student liberation encampment will create a safe space for those who want to show their support of the Palestinian people."

Several protesters were wearing Keffiyehs – traditional Arab headdresses – and others were waving Palestinian flags. Many protesters also wore masks or bandanas covering their faces.

Organizers of the Northwestern protest said they plan to occupy the area until Northwestern divests itself from companies that support Israel amid the ongoing war in Gaza, and vows to protect their free speech rights on campus.

The protest began around 7 a.m. After police tried to take down some of the tents, protesters linked arms and formed a ring around the encampment around 9:30 a.m., and kept the human chain in place for hours afterward. No arrests have been reported.

Organizers said an online petition listing their demands has collected more than 1,500 signatures so far. In the resolution, students said "American academic institutions have become hostile spaces for anti-war, anti-apartheid, and pro-Palestine speech."

"Northwestern University is no exception, curtailing speech and intimidating students and educators. We call on President Schill to condemn the targeted harassment of students and the disproportionate censorship of pro-Palestine speech, to affirm and protect student civil liberties, and to build a safe environment for intellectual and political expression," the petition states.

Northwestern officials said the tent encampment is prohibited by university policies. 

University President Michael Schill sent a letter to students on Thursday morning, announcing an "interim addendum" to the Northwestern code of conduct, effective immediately, banning the installation of tents or other temporary structures on Northwestern property, except for school-approved events. 

In his letter, Schill wrote that recent protests in Evanston related to the war in Gaza have interfered with classes. He also cited "chalkings, flyers, banners and chants that many have found hateful, intimidating, offensive and difficult to avoid."

"The goal of this addendum is to balance the right to peacefully demonstrate with our goal to protect our community, to avoid disruptions to instruction and to ensure University operations can continue unabated," Schill wrote. "Any violation of the rules contained in this document or in our policies could lead to disciplinary actions such as suspension or expulsion, and possibly criminal sanctions."

The student code of conduct had already required advance approval for the use of any sound amplification devices, including bullhorns, on Northwestern property. In some cases, permits might be required from the city of Evanston.

Another existing university policy also stated Northwestern has "the right to limit demonstrations to specific times and locations if it determines such limitations are necessary to protect the health and safety of students, faculty, and staff or the operations of the University."

The university said campus police and representatives from the school's Student Affairs division were working with protesters to have the tents removed.

"Northwestern is committed to the principles of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly – and to protecting the safety of all members of our community, as well as limiting disruptions to University operations," Northwestern spokesman Jon Yates said.

Officials warned anyone who refuses to remove tents faces the risk of arrest and having their tents removed by police. 

The university also was prohibiting non-student news media from entering the meadow to cover the protest.  

Protests on several other college campuses across the country have led to clashes with police, and in some cases complaints of antisemitic behavior by demonstrators.

Boston Police arrested more than 100 protesters at a pro-Palestinian encampment at Emerson College early Thursday morning.  

More than 100 people have been arrested at Columbia University in New York since similar protests began last week.  Columbia University's president cancelled in-person classes Monday in response to the protests and  said classes would be hybrid  through the end of the semester.

Some  Jewish students at Columbia say  many of the protesters' chants are antisemitic, and they're concerned about their safety. 

More than 100 protesters were arrested at New York University on Monday , and police said demonstrators threw objects, including bottles, at officers during the arrests.

Police  arrested 45 protesters  at Yale University on Monday after the demonstrators repeatedly refused to disperse voluntarily.

Police arrested 93 people at University of Southern California after many protesters refused repeated orders to disperse after setting up an encampment on the Los Angeles campus.

Other universities that have seen on-campus protests this week included University of California, Berkeley ; California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt ; the University of Michigan ; the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Tufts University, and Emerson College.

Watch CBS News

Northwestern University announces agreement with pro-Palestinian protesters

By Chris Tye , Adam Harrington

Updated on: April 29, 2024 / 8:01 PM CDT / CBS Chicago

EVANSTON, Ill. (CBS) -- Northwestern University announced Monday that it had reached an agreement with a group of students who have been protesting for several days on campus in support of the Palestinian cause.

The protesters have been camping out in Deering Meadow on the Evanston campus since Thursday morning. They have been calling for the university to divest from its interests in Israel – echoing protests at many universities around the country.

Organizers of the Northwestern protest have said they plan to occupy the area until Northwestern divests itself from companies that support Israel amid the ongoing war in Gaza, and vows to protect their free speech rights on campus.

"No other university, to my knowledge at least, has been able to secure wins this great," said Northwestern junior Abhi Nimmagadda.

Under the agreement —announced by Northwestern President Michael Schill, Provost Kathleen Hagerty, and Vice President for Student Affairs Susan Davis—the protests on Deering Meadow will be allowed to continue through the end of spring quarter classes on June 1. However, only one aid tent may remain mounted, and the others must all be taken down.

Northwestern also said only students, faculty, and staff will be allowed in the protest area.

One of the key demands from protesters is that the university, "Divest from corporations that profit from Israel's occupation in Palestine."

On the issue of that demand for divestment, the university said it will provide a "a conduit to engagement with the Investment Committee of the Board of Trustees" by reestablishing an Advisory Committee on Investment Responsibility" in the fall. It will include students, faculty, and staff.

The university will also answer any questions from the campus community about specific holdings.

Further, the university said it will support visiting Palestinian faculty and students at risk – providing funding two faculty members for two years, and the full cost of attendance for five Palestinian undergrads. The university will also provide a new temporary space for Muslim students and students of Middle Eastern and North African descent, while renovating a house for that purpose within two years.

"This agreement was forged by the hard work of students and faculty working closely with members of the administration to help ensure that the violence and escalation we have seen elsewhere does not happen here at Northwestern," the university said.

"I don't think my heart has been fuller," said Nimmagadda. "I'm very, very proud of everything we have been able to achieve."

Despite Northwestern saying they reached this agreement with a group of students and faculty who represent the majority of the protesters, CBS 2 was told students in the encampment were "blindsided" by the agreements. They called those who made the decision "sellouts," namely because the agreement "does not include material divestment" from Israel and forfeits their right to continue their encampment efforts.

The university warned that any demonstrators who refuse to comply with this agreement will face disciplinary action, including "the suspension of non-compliant students and a requirement that non-affiliated individuals leave campus."  

This past Sunday, the pro-Palestinian protesters faced off with pro-Israel demonstrators – to the point where the situation became heated.

One concerning clash that unfolded on campgrounds over the weekend was captured on cell phone video. A woman who identified herself as a Jewish American appeared to call 911, claiming she felt threatened by several pro-Palestinian protesters who would not let her leave. But people around her said they were not stopping her from leaving. 

CBS 2 reached out Sunday to Evanston police to get more information about that incident. Police said there was no information available. It's unclear if she even called police.

Police have not made any arrests or issued any citations during the protests, but the encounter was among many posted on social media that raised questions about the activity in and around the growing protest.

Northwestern also warned that antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents will not be tolerated.

"Reported antisemitic and anti-Muslim/Palestinian incidents over the weekend — in most cases, fueled by demonstrators who are not affiliated with Northwestern — are unacceptable and cannot continue, and this agreement will help to ensure that," the university wrote. "Acts of antisemitism, anti-Muslim/Arab racism, and hate will not be tolerated, and community members who can be identified participating in such acts will face disciplinary action."

Despite Northwestern saying they reached this agreement with a group of students and faculty who represent the majority of the protesters, CBS 2 was told students in the encampment were "blindsided" by the agreements. They called those who made the decision "sellouts," namely because the agreement "does not include material divestment" from Israel and forfeits their right to continue their encampment efforts. 

Meanwhile, the Anti-Defamation League Midwest issued a statement expressing strong disapproval of the agreement at Northwestern.

"The agreement between Northwestern University leadership and encampment protesters is reprehensible, dangerous, and a case study in failed leadership. For days, protesters violated campus codes of conduct and policies, intentionally fanned the flames of hate and antisemitism, and wreaked havoc on campus life. Instead of holding the perpetrators accountable, the university rewarded them. It would be unbelievable if it wasn't true," the ADL said in part. "What about Jewish students who have been victims of vicious antisemitic harassment and continued intimidation on campus for months while the university stayed silent? How do they benefit from this arrangement? What does this mean for them?"

The ADL accused the protesters of "celebrating violence against Jews and spreading dangerous antisemitic tropes. The organization added that in its project in which it grades college and university campuses on their handling of antisemitism , it has now downgraded Northwestern from a D to an F.

Tense situations have also erupted around pro-Palestinian protest encampments around the country. Much attention has been focused on Columbia University in New York, where students were ordered to clear a  nearly two-week-old encampment  by Monday afternoon. Students who refused to leave by then would face suspension , the university said.

When the deadline came, students began marching around the encampment – making no effort to clear out.

Last week, as a consequence of the protests, classes at Columbia switched to remote learning for the rest of the semester "to deescalate the rancor and give us all a chance to consider next steps." Monday was the last day of classes on campus there.

There has not been any talk of moving classes to remote learning at Northwestern.

On Monday, the University of Chicago also set up a pro-Palestinian protest encampment on the Main Quad on the Hyde Park campus.

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Chris Tye is a reporter and fill-in anchor at CBS2 Chicago.

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Middle East crisis — explained

The conflict between Israel and Palestinians — and other groups in the Middle East — goes back decades. These stories provide context for current developments and the history that led up to them.

As student protesters get arrested, they risk being banned from campus too

Rachel Treisman

Jaclyn Diaz

Dozens of tents are seen on a lawn inside the Columbia University Campus after students refused to take down the encampment by the 2 p.m. EDT deadline given to students protesting by Columbia President Minouche Shafik. Luiz C. Ribeiro/Tribune News Service/Getty Images hide caption

Dozens of tents are seen on a lawn inside the Columbia University Campus after students refused to take down the encampment by the 2 p.m. EDT deadline given to students protesting by Columbia President Minouche Shafik.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators continue to turn out at schools across the country despite the risk of detention and suspension, with nearly 300 more protesters arrested over the weekend .

At Columbia University, where a pro-Palestinian encampment has catalyzed dozens of similar demonstrations across the nation, student protesters face threats of punishment, with some students already receiving word of their suspension.

On Monday morning, Columbia University President Minouche Shafik announced that in, negotiations over the encampment, faculty leaders and student organizers were not able to reach an agreement .

The university gave students until 2 p.m. ET to disperse and abandon the encampments or else face suspension pending further investigation, according to flyers it distributed on campus .

Columbia University spokesman Ben Chang confirmed to reporters that some students taking part in the pro-Palestinian encampment who refused to leave at that deadline were suspended. It's unclear how many students will receive that punishment.

Chang said the move is required to preserve campus safety.

Hundreds of students at a pro-Palestinian demonstration at Columbia University's campus. Brian Mann hide caption

Hundreds of students at a pro-Palestinian demonstration at Columbia University's campus.

Students who voluntarily left the encampment and signed a copy of a form committing to abide by university policies will be on academic probation through June 2025, according to the flyers. Those who remained past the deadline were told they will be restricted from all Columbia campuses and property and ineligible to participate in classes and academic or extracurricular activities.

"You are not permitted to complete the Spring 2024 semester, including participate in classes or exams in-person or remotely or otherwise submit assignments or engage in any activities affiliated with Columbia University," the notice dispersed on campus reads. "You may lose the semester. If you are scheduled to graduate, you are no longer eligible."

Dozens of New York police officers gathered outside the campus gates about an hour ahead of the deadline.

Many students remained despite the threats, saying they have no plans to leave unless the university meets its demand to divest from companies they say are aiding Israel's war in Gaza. After the flyers were distributed, Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine posted on X urging students not to sign anything.

Roughly 100 officers in uniform gathered at Columbia University's campus in the leadup to its 2 p.m. deadline for students to disperse from the encampment that's been up for nearly two weeks. Brian Mann/NPR hide caption

Roughly 100 officers in uniform gathered at Columbia University's campus in the leadup to its 2 p.m. deadline for students to disperse from the encampment that's been up for nearly two weeks.

"We will not be moved by these intimidation tactics. You can see the students are mobilized. There's hundreds of them here today. They will not be moved. We demand divestment, we will not be moved unless by force," Seuda Polat, a Columbia University graduate student, said during a press conference Monday.

Polat continued, "There has been no violence on this encampment. Students from diverse backgrounds have shared their religious observances together. We've celebrated Passover, we've celebrated shabbat twice. This is a place of community, of community learning, not violence."

Police continue to arrest protesters across the country

On Sunday, pro-Palestinian protesters and pro-Israeli protesters clashed at the University of California, Los Angeles, leading to what university leaders described as "physical altercations" and prompting them to increase security measures on campus.

Nearly 300 people arrested at campus protests against the war in Gaza this weekend

At Virginia Tech University, police arrested scores of protesters in the early hours of Monday morning. Virginia Tech Police confirmed early Monday evening that 82 individuals, 53 of whom are current students at the university, were arrested and all were charged with trespassing.

The school had warned of "heavy police activity around the Graduate Life Center" in a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter) starting just after 10 p.m. ET on Sunday, and announced around 3:30 a.m. that the incident " had stabilized ." Social media footage shows protesters chanting at police as they lead people into multiple white vans.

Elsewhere in the state, 12 protesters — including nine students — were arrested at the University of Mary Washington on Saturday evening after refusing to vacate an encampment on its Fredericksburg, Va., campus. University President Troy Paino said in a statement that health and safety concerns had emerged on Saturday after protestors invited the off-campus public to join the encampment.

A man holds up a Palestinian flag as activists and students surround piled barricades at an encampment at at George Washington University early Monday. Kent Nishimura/Getty Images hide caption

A man holds up a Palestinian flag as activists and students surround piled barricades at an encampment at at George Washington University early Monday.

Meanwhile, protests at George Washington University in D.C. are stretching into their fifth day on Monday — the last day of class for the semester — after a tense weekend, culminating in a clash between protesters and police.

Students first set up an encampment on University Yard on Thursday and later launched a second one on nearby H Street after the school put up barricades to restrict access.

The Picture Show

Photos: take a look at campus protests around the country.

Shortly before midnight on Sunday, protesters knocked down the barricades — piling them in a stack in the middle of the lawn — and flooded the lawn, with people remaining there overnight in some 85 tents, the GW Hatchet reports .

GW officials said in a statement early Monday that a group of "approximately 200 protesters from across [D.C., Maryland and Virginia], including professional organizers, activists, and university students, have joined the unauthorized encampment on our campus."

"This is an egregious violation of community trust and goes far beyond the boundaries of free expression and the right to protest," they added. "The university will use every avenue available to ensure those involved are held accountable for their actions."

Schools are alternately threatening and disavowing disciplinary action

Students arrested at Emerson College last week won't face disciplinary action from the school, its president announced. Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

Students arrested at Emerson College last week won't face disciplinary action from the school, its president announced.

One question on the minds of many is what, if any, disciplinary action student protesters might face from their schools, especially with finals and graduation fast approaching.

Some universities have suspended — or threatened to suspend — students who have been arrested for protesting, while others have said they will not.

Students have been suspended for protesting at George Washington University , Princeton University , Washington University in St. Louis , Pomona College and Vanderbilt University , according to reports.

Barnard College officials announced Friday that it will allow most of the 53 students who were arrested and suspended after protesting at Columbia University to return to campus. The New York Times reports that suspended students who reached agreements with the college have their access to residence halls, dining facilities and classrooms restored, while others are still working to reach agreements.

Across the U.S., pro-Palestinian campus protesters risk arrest and suspension

On Sunday, Jay Bernhardt, the president of Emerson College in Boston — where more than 100 protesters were arrested at an encampment early Thursday morning — said the college will not bring disciplinary charges against protesters, and will "encourage the district attorney not to pursue charges related to encampment violations."

He said it is also taking steps to support students who were arrested, including posting bail for them and providing housing support to those who are required to stay local for court appearances after the closing of their dorms.

"The College has done its best to keep all community members safe every day during these challenging times, but we recognize that we must do more," he added.

In Texas, the Travis County district attorney has dropped misdemeanor trespassing charges against all 57 people arrested during a protest at UT-Austin last week, after a judge found insufficient evidence to proceed.

Law enforcement arrest a pro-Palestinian protestor on April 29, 2024, at the University of Texas at Austin. Michael Minasi/KUT hide caption

Law enforcement arrest a pro-Palestinian protestor on April 29, 2024, at the University of Texas at Austin.

But on Monday, around 100 protesters gathered at UT-Austin and set up a new encampment on the campus' south lawn, according to NPR member station KUT. By mid-afternoon, state, city and university police were on hand, breaking up the gathering.

Elsewhere, some schools are threatening disciplinary action for students who don't comply with directives to leave encampments that they say violate their policies.

Officials at the University of Florida, where students began protesting on Wednesday, said Friday that demonstrators could face suspension and a three-year ban from campus if they violate specific protest rules, reports member station WUFT .

They are prohibited from using bullhorns or speakers to amplify their voices, possessing weapons and protesting inside campus buildings — but also face more vague prohibitions like "no disruption," according to a list circulated late Thursday.

"They also included 'no sleeping' on a campus where students often doze in the sun between classes," per WUFT.

Mass arrests roil college campuses amid pro-Palestinian protests

At Cal Poly Humboldt, officials closed campus to the public on Saturday, several days after student protesters first occupied two academic and administrative buildings. They had previously given protesters until 5 p.m. on Friday to leave with a guarantee of no immediate arrest — but said they would still face consequences.

"This does not, however, eliminate University conduct-related sanctions or legal implications," officials said in a release. "In addition, voluntarily departing in this way will be considered as a mitigating factor in University conduct processes and may reduce the severity of sanctions imposed."

The campus will remain closed until May 10, with work and classes remote through the end of the semester. Officials say they are planning for "various scenarios" for commencement.

At Massachusetts Institute of Technology, president Sally Kornbluth said in a Sunday message to students that their growing encampment violates policies around registering for campus demonstrations and creates a "potential magnet for disruptive outside protestors."

She said rules have been broken, and those who break them — "including rules around the time, place and manner of protest" — will face disciplinary action.

"We are open to further discussion about the means of ending the encampment," she added. "But this particular form of expression needs to end soon."

Northwestern reaches a deal with protesters

Signs are displayed outside a tent encampment at Northwestern University on Friday in Evanston, Illinois. Students and the university reached a deal Monday, allowing the demonstrations to continue, but that mandated the removal of all but one of these tents. Teresa Crawford/AP hide caption

Signs are displayed outside a tent encampment at Northwestern University on Friday in Evanston, Illinois. Students and the university reached a deal Monday, allowing the demonstrations to continue, but that mandated the removal of all but one of these tents.

Northwestern University reached an agreement Monday with students and faculty protesting against the war, as demonstrations continued at other campuses across the country.

The deal was struck five days after students erected an encampment on Deering Meadow, a common area on the university's Evanston campus.

The agreement allows demonstrations to continue until the end of spring quarter classes on June 1, "provided all such activity immediately and continuously complies with University policies," Northwestern officials said in a statement.

The school will allow one aid tent to remain at the encampment on Deering Meadow but is demanding all other tents and sound systems be taken down.

"This agreement also addresses our commitment to protect the safety of our entire community and to ensure the ongoing academic operations of our campus while adhering to our support for free expression," Northwestern President Michael Schill wrote in an announcement posted on the school's website. "The agreement includes support for our Muslim, Arab and Palestinian students. Some of the actions have been discussed for years and some are new. Together, they will strengthen our community."

As part of the agreement, the university has promised to fund two Palestinian faculty members per year for two years and to provide scholarships for five Palestinian undergraduates.

Some faculty are calling for amnesty

Students and faculty at some universities are calling on their administrations not to discipline protesters. Arrested protesters face uncertainty about not only their legal records but the status of campus housing, financial aid and graduation eligibility.

At the University of Pennsylvania , officials say a campus statue was vandalized with antisemitic graffiti and are calling on demonstrators — from Penn and other area schools — to disband.

A group of Penn faculty and Philadelphia-area elected officials signed a letter last week urging university leaders to "respect students' rights to engage in nonviolent protest" by refraining from calling in law enforcement to make arrests and from filing disciplinary and criminal charges against peaceful protesters at the encampment.

"Protesters nationwide face police violence and severe discipline, and the safety and wellbeing of Philadelphia students exercising their rights are among our foremost concerns," they wrote.

In Columbia University's protests of 1968 and 2024, what's similar — and different

Nearly 300 faculty members at Yale University, where 48 protesters were arrested last week, signed a letter condemning what they called "the criminalization of Yale students engaged in recent acts of peaceful protest." They demanded that the university take no further disciplinary action and called on authorities to drop all charges against them.

They said the protesters arrested face Class A misdemeanors under Connecticut law, which carry possible penalties of up to 364 days in jail.

"Threatening students with sanctions of this kind is unconscionable and should not be the means by which Yale responds to peaceful protest," they added.

In a further sign of discontent, faculty members at universities in California, Georgia and Texas have either initiated or passed largely symbolic votes of no confidence in their leadership, according to the Associated Press .

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Columbia begins suspending student protesters

By Elizabeth Wolfe, Samantha Delouya, Eva Rothenberg, Aditi Sangal and Amir Vera, CNN

Video shows protesters being taken into custody at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond

From CNN's Jillian Sykes

Police in Richmond responded to protesters at Virginia Commonwealth University's campus Monday.

Video from CNN affiliate WWBT shows people being taken into custody.

Dozens of protesters gathered near the university’s library in an area they’ve called a “liberation zone,” according to WWBT . Video from the affiliate shows officers in riot gear apprehending individuals and throwing one person to the ground while shouting: “Stop resisting. You’re under arrest.”

In a statement to CNN, Virginia Commonwealth University said the gathering "violated several university policies."

“VCU respectfully and repeatedly provided opportunities for those individuals involved – many of whom were not students — to collect their belongings and leave. Those who did not leave were subject to arrest for trespassing,” the university said.

Both students and non-students were arrested and the university is dismantling the encampment, according to Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears. She noted a "significant number" of non-students were in the crowd. A Virginia State Police spokesperson said the department responded to the protest to assist campus police.

In a Monday evening advisory on its website , the university initially described the protests as "violent," but later removed the advisory language from its website and instead described the gathering as a "public assembly."

A university spokesperson declined to comment when asked about the change in language.

CNN’s Aaron Eggleston contributed to this report

USC president says she is having vital talks with protest organizers

From CNN’s Stephanie Becker 

University of Southern California President Carol Folt said she met with student organizers of campus protests Monday, but conceded that no agreement has been reached.

“The students said at the end they wouldn't have considered this meeting a win from their perspective, and I can fully appreciate that,” Folt said in a statement. “For me, the most important point was that we were starting to talk, and I think that was vital. I felt like they were being honest and telling me how they felt, which was very meaningful.”

The meeting, which also included a faculty member, lasted about 90 minutes, the president said. Folt said she plans to meet with the group again tomorrow.

“I think we need to continue to have those conversations, and I'm pleased we all agree on that. We'll go day by day,” she said. 

Some UT-Austin protesters were arrested for trespassing and others for disorderly conduct, officials say

From CNN’s Ed Lavandera and Ashley Killough

Some of the pro-Palestinian demonstrators who were taken into custody at UT-Austin on Monday were arrested on suspicion of trespassing, while others are accused of disorderly conduct after refusing to disperse, university officials said in a statement. 

Demonstrators set up an encampment that included a “barricade enclosure of tables secured by metal chains, and strategically placed tools, tents, and rocks,” the statement read. 

 Protesters “escalated” the situation, and in response, officials “took swift action to preserve a safe, conducive learning environment for our 53,000 students as they prepare for final exams,” according to the statement. 

“UT Austin requested backup assistance from the Texas Department of Public Safety to protect the safety of the campus community and enforce our Institutional Rules, such as the rule that prohibits encampments on campus,” officials explained. “Because of the encampments and other violations of the University’s Institutional Rules related to protests, protestors were told repeatedly to disperse.”

In a statement to CNN Monday, Travis County Attorney Delia Garza said she was concerned the protests on “could escalate and lead to more disruption and violence.” 

“I have begun discussions with the University administration and am hopeful that a reasonable solution can be reached to ensure everyone involved is kept safe and their constitutional rights protected,” Garza said. “We will continue to collaborate with our partners and individually review each case that is presented to our office.”

"They broke the rules." 9 arrested in University of Florida campus protests, school official says

From CNN’s Raja Razek

Nine people were arrested Monday evening at the University of Florida campus protests in Gainesville, Florida, according to Cynthia Roldán Hernández, UF director of public affairs.

"They knew the rules, they broke the rules, and they’ll face the consequences," Steve Orlando, UF spokesperson, said in a statement. "For many days, we have patiently told protesters — many of whom are outside agitators — that they were able to exercise their right to free speech and free assembly," he said. "And we also told them that clearly prohibited activities would result in a trespassing order from UPD (barring them from all university properties for three years) and an interim suspension from the university." "For days UPD patiently and consistently reiterated the rules," Orlando said. "Today, individuals who refused to comply were arrested after UPD gave multiple warnings and multiple opportunities to comply.”

CNN has reached out to the Gainesville Police Department for additional information. 

Dozens of protesters arrested at University of Texas at Austin, organizers say 

From CNN’s Ed Lavandera and Ashley Killough

Dozens of people were arrested Monday at a protest on the campus of University of Texas at Austin, according to the university’s Defend Palestine Encampment, who also alleged that officers used force to take people into custody.

The encampment was formed on the school’s South Mall Lawn around 12:30 p.m. CT, and around an hour later, officers from the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Austin Police Department and campus police responded wearing riot gear, a news release from organizers said. 

The university is working on compiling information, including the number of people arrested, for a news release later Monday, said Brian Davis, senior manager for issues and crisis communications at the university. 

The Travis County Sheriff’s Office will not have a total number of arrests until Tuesday morning, spokesperson Kristen Dark told CNN. 

CNN has reached out to the Department of Public Safety for comment. 

"We demand that UT divest from the Zionist state of Israel and from all institutions and companies that are enabling the current genocide in Gaza … We demand the resignation of President (Jay) Hartzell for green-lighting the militarized repression of peaceful student protesters on their own campus,” Lenna Nasr, of the Palestinian Youth Movement, said in the news release. 

CNN's Joe Sutton and Cindy Von Quednow contributed to this report.  

Cornell says it's suspending students after they refused offer to move encampment to an alternate location

From CNN's Sarah Boxer 

Cornell University is suspending students after an encampment on campus declined to move to an alternate location, President Martha E. Pollack  said in a message Monday. 

"Last Thursday, a group of individuals formed an encampment on the Arts Quad," Pollack said. "A student group had previously requested permission for an art installation there, consistent with our policies; however, they were dishonest in their request, stating that there would not be tents and that the art installation would be removed by 8 p.m. on Thursday." 

Cornell University leaders then offered an alternative location for the encampment, according to Pollack. 

"With an approved permit in hand, the protesters could have remained in the alternative location, per our policies, thereby avoiding disciplinary sanctions," Pollack's message said. 

"The individuals requested and received multiple opportunities, over a five-hour span, to consider their options, but ultimately decided not to move. They were then reminded several additional times that afternoon and evening that if the tents were not taken down, they would be subject to disciplinary action for violating the university’s time, place, and manner rules. With full knowledge of the sanctions to come, they again refused to comply, and we moved forward with a first set of immediate temporary suspensions," Pollack continued. 

Suspensions followed throughout the weekend as university leaders tried again to give the encampment, an "opportunity to move to the alternate location." 

"Since last Thursday, we have tried to engage thoughtfully with the participants, and will try to continue to do so. But we need to soon get to a resolution that respects our policies, promotes the public health and safety of the community, and preserves the rights of all to do their work," Pollack said. 

CNN's Michelle Watson contributed to this report 

Columbia has pushed an anti-Palestinian narrative, lead student negotiator tells CNN

From CNN's Samantha Delouya

In a conversation with CNN's Wolf Blitzer, Columbia student lead negotiator Mahmoud Khalil, discussed what he called an "anti-Palestinian narrative" at the school amid pro-Palestinian protests.

“Over the past six months, these students, they have witnessed the killing of over 34,000 Palestinians in Gaza and despite all of this, the institution, Columbia at least, has only pushed one narrative — an anti-Palestinian narrative on campus,” Khalil said. “They feel that they are alienated. They feel that the university is very biased against them," he said of the protesters.

Khalil was also asked what he would say to Jewish students who feel unsafe on campus.

“I would say that the liberation of Palestine and the Palestinians and the Jewish people are intertwined. They go hand in hand. Anti-Semitism and any form of racism has no place on campus and in this movement,” Khalil said, noting that some members of Columbia's encampment are Jewish and held Passover seders earlier this week, led by Jewish Voices for Peace. "They are an integral part of this movement," Khalil said of the organization.

Protesters have been arrested on more than 20 campuses across at least 16 states

From CNN's Alex Leeds Matthews, Renee Rigdon, Krystina Shveda and Amy O'Kruk

Hundreds of people have been arrested on college and university campuses from coast to coast as schools prepare for spring commencement ceremonies. The  University of Southern California — where nearly 100 protesters were arrested April 24 —  canceled  its primary commencement event.

Protesters have been arrested on more than 20 campuses across at least 16 states. Many other schools have experienced protests without arrests.

CNN is monitoring campus protests and will continue to update this map with any new arrests.

UC Irvine calls in local law enforcement to assist campus police with protests

From CNN’s Cheri Mossburg and Cindy Von Quednow

Local law enforcement officials have arrived on the University of California Irvine campus after being called to assist campus police, officials said.

Campus officers are joined by city of Irvine police at the pro-Palestinian protest in the school’s physical sciences plaza, according to university spokesman Tom Vasich.

The Orange County Sheriff was asked to send additional personnel to assist, department Sgt. Matthew Parrish told CNN. 

Vasich estimates there are about 100 protesters in the area, including some not affiliated with the university. About 10 tents have been erected in violation of university policy, he said. The sheriff’s department was called in for support only, he added.

Irvine Mayor Farrah Khan issued a statement “preemptively condemning” any police action that might violate the First Amendment rights of the protesters.

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University of Chicago students set up pro-Palestinian encampment on campus as protests spread

Hundreds of university of chicago students set up an encampment in the main quadrangle on monday, joining groups on over 100 university campuses nationwide in support of palestinians..

Student protesters set up a pro-Palestinian protest camp on the University of Chicago Main Quadrangle on Monday.

Jim Vondruska/For the Sun-Times

Hundreds of University of Chicago students set up an encampment in the university’s Main Quadrangle on Monday, joining groups on over 100 university campuses nationwide in support of Palestinians living in Gaza.

The demonstration comes after five days of protest at Northwestern University’s Evanston campus, where students and faculty occupied Deering Meadow as they called on the school to divest from companies doing business with Israel.

“From this divestment campaign to the divestment campaigns all around the world, we demand divestment, repair, justice, freedom for all Palestinians,” Moon G., an incoming master’s student at the University of Chicago Divinity School, told the crowd.

Rayna A., a senior at the University of Chicago who helped organize the encampment, said the protesters also want more money allocated to education and housing on the South Side. She said the university “refuses to be in conversation” about the demands and turned down requests for a public meeting regarding divestment from Israel in the fall.

University President Paul Alivisatos said in a statement the school aims to provide “the greatest leeway possible for free expression.” The school will only intervene if the free expression “blocks the learning or expression of others” or “meaningfully disrupts the functioning or safety of the University.”

The encampment violates the university’s policies against building structures without prior approval and overnight sleeping on campus, he said.

“Given the importance of the expressive rights of our students, we may allow an encampment to remain for a short time despite the obvious violations of policy—but those violating university policy should expect to face disciplinary consequences,” Alivisatos said.

A noontime rally was punctuated with the chant: “Disclose. Divest. We will not stop. We will not rest.” Nearby, Israeli flags hung on a line strung between two lamp posts.

Police officers stood about fifty feet away from the encampment and appeared not to disrupt the protest or tents. But ever since Columbia University President Minouche Shafik authorized the New York Police Department to dismantle the student encampment there, students have been worried about escalation.

Rayna said that organizers have learned skills to keep their communities safe, but “safety is never guaranteed.”

A junior, who is Jewish and asked not to be identified, said she felt “jarred” when she saw people she knew participating at the encampment. The junior, who has family in Israel, said she has a religious connection to the region.

“We’ve seen [encampments] on other campuses, and it hasn’t turned out well, especially for Jewish students,” she said. “People are scared.”

Adam Gottlieb, the Poet in Residence at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, said he wanted to have conversations with people who seemed open. He spoke to passersby for two hours, discussing possible ways forward with the conflict.

“There are some important conversations happening here,” Gottlieb said. “I’m interested in finding what middle ground is possible with people who say ‘We stand for human rights for all.’”

A ‘sustainable and de-escalated path forward’ at Northwestern

Students and faculty mounted pro-Palestinian protests at several Chicago universities and colleges last week, including the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago and Roosevelt University.

Students at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign also set up an encampment last week, resulting in two arrests on Friday. An undergraduate spokesperson for the encampment who asked not to be identified told the Sun-Times Monday, “Nobody here wants to be here. We are here for a goal. And that goal is divestment from Israeli companies ...”

“We respect the rights of freedom of speech and expression and remain committed to providing a safe environment for all members of our community,” UIUC spokesperson Robin Kaler said in a statement. “However, we do not allow camping tents to be set up on campus property.”

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he had “been in touch” with Illinois universities regarding the encampments and protests were interfering with students’ ability to attend class at many schools.

“It is obviously very important to me that we keep order. It’s also important to me that we protect people’s right to protest and their First Amendment rights,” Pritzker said.

By early afternoon Monday, Northwestern University administration announced in a statement it had reached an agreement with protesters to bring the encampment there to an end.

University President Michael Schill said the agreement represents a “sustainable and de-escalated path forward.” The agreement allows protest to continue without tents until June 1, the last day of class. The demonstrators will be allowed to keep one aid tent.

Organizers announced the agreement and spoke before a crowd of about 200 students. They said although the tents have to come down, they plan to continue demonstrating until full divestment is achieved.

As a first step toward divestment, the agreement requires the university to disclose information about any investments to people associated with the university within 30 days of the inquiry. It will also re-establish a committee to advise on investments that will include student representatives. The university also committed to fully funding tuition for five Palestinian undergraduate students, supporting visiting Palestinian faculty and students at risk, providing an immediate temporary space for MENA and Muslim students, and renovating a building for future use.

Organizers said they are sharing some of resources they have collected with the encampment that formed Monday at the University of Chicago.

“What is so beautiful about the fact that we have reached an agreement today ... is that the Chicago community does not have to be split between two places,” Jordan, an undergraduate organizer, said about the U of C encampment.

“Whether you joined up on Friday or whether this is your first time here, you are all essential parts of this movement for this win today,” Jordan said.

Contributing: Aidan Sadovi

The Daily Northwestern

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BREAKING: Administrators, student demonstrators reach agreement to end encampment on Deering Meadow

Student demonstrators wrapped up negotiations with the University Monday after five days of demonstrations. The University will engage in a number of steps to support Palestinian students and protest on campus in exchange for an end to the encampment established on Deering Meadow Thursday, the University announced Monday.  

“This agreement was forged by the hard work of students and faculty working closely with members of the administration to help ensure that the violence and escalation we have seen elsewhere does not happen here at Northwestern,” the University said in a Monday statement.

As negotiations finished, the University agreed to permit protests and gatherings in support of Palestine at the Meadow through June 1, the final day of spring quarter classes. The permit will require that only NU students, faculty and staff be allowed in the demonstration area, unless otherwise authorized by the University, and may require a Wildcard ID.

In exchange, the Northwestern Divestment Coalition, who organized the encampment effort, will commit to leaving only one aid tent on the lawn. Though students will still be able to organize under a permit granted by NU, they will use only approved devices to project or amplify sound. Previously scheduled events must be able to proceed on the lawn, the University said. 

The University also said it condemns the doxxing of any community member in the agreement. “(The University) will advise employers not to rescind job offers for students engaging in speech protected by the First Amendment,” it says.

In a statement released Monday, the coalition asked readers to keep focus on what had brought protestors together: “The call for Palestinian liberation and an end to genocide and ethnic cleansing in Gaza.” The group also praised demonstrators for successfully growing the encampment and for avoiding suspensions or arrests.

The group emphasized that these negotiations are not the end of their work. They said the agreement was approved by representatives of the coalition in a 17-1 vote, and represent an important first step in their overall goals.

“In line with a strong commitment to a broad and inclusive coalition, and the principle of centering Palestinian student voices, this agreement was resoundingly approved by elected representatives of the coalition,” the group wrote. “Given the specific circumstances, we determined this to be the best course of action to achieve tangible wins, maintain a sustainable movement, protect our community, and build toward Palestinian liberation.”

The coalition initially said students intended to remain on Deering Meadow until the University agreed to all of the demands laid out in a document organizers called the Northwestern People’s Resolution . 

The resolution — authored by NU chapters of Educators for Justice in Palestine, Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace — demanded the University protect student’s civil liberties and cut ties with Israeli institutions.

It specifically asked the University to end partnerships like NU’s Israel Innovation Project, which facilitates academic collaborations with Israeli institutions. Signatories also asked that the University disclose its direct and managed investments and divest from “institutions and companies that support and maintain apartheid, occupation and the oppression of the Palestinian people.”

The University has committed to provide a conduit for students to engage with the Investment Committee of the Board of Trustees. It will also re-establish an Advisory Committee on Investment Responsibility this fall, which will include students, faculty and staff.

NU is also committing to answering questions from any “internal stakeholder” about specific University holdings held currently or within the last quarter to “the best of its knowledge or to the extent legally possible” within 30 days.

In addition, t he University committed to some support for Palestinian students and faculty in the agreement. NU will “support visiting Palestinian faculty and students at risk,” and will provide the cost of attendance for five Palestinian undergraduates to attend Northwestern.

The agreement said the University commits to fundraising to sustain this program. 

The University also committed to providing an “immediate temporary space for MENA/Muslim students” — a longtime demand from students on campus — and will provide and renovate a house for MENA/Muslims students as soon as possible. The final house is expected to come in 2026. 

The University will also “engage students in a process dedicated to ensuring additional support for Jewish and Muslim students within Student Affairs/Religious & Spiritual Life,” it said in the statement.

While the agreement does not stipulate that the University will cut ties with Israeli-affiliated companies — a longtime demand of pro-Palestinian activists on campus — the University did commit to including students in “a process dedicated to implementing broad input on University dining services, including residential and retail vendors on campus.”

The coalition said the agreement is a foundation for future activists at Northwestern. The group asked students to continue working toward the goals initially outlined in their demands.

“This agreement represents a commitment towards disclosure, which is a vital precondition for pushing toward divestment. It does not put an end to our work to continue applying pressure on the administration or the board of trustees in the coming years,” the coalition’s statement said.

The University’s statement also reiterated NU’s hate speech policies.

“Reported antisemitic and anti-Muslim/Palestinian incidents over the weekend — in most cases, fueled by demonstrators who are not affiliated with Northwestern — are unacceptable and cannot continue, and this agreement will help to ensure that,” the statement said. “Acts of antisemitism, anti- Muslim/Arab racism, and hate will not be tolerated, and community members who can be identified participating in such acts will face disciplinary action.”

It added that those found in violation of these rules and policies will face disciplinary action.

The agreement is signed by University President Michael Schill, Provost Kathleen Hagerty and Vice President of Student Affairs Susan Davis.

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— Jewish students have mixed reactions to pro-Palestine encampment

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— NU’s investments still unclear amid Deering Meadow encampment

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The Waa-Mu Show will take you away

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• Student Experience

In its 93 years of existence, Northwestern’s Waa-Mu Show has evolved continuously. What began as the University’s Women’s Athletic Association and Men’s Union joining forces for a musical revue eventually morphed into a full-length, original musical penned by students.

This year, the show once again forays into uncharted territory with a change: Rather than one musical, it is now three shorter musicals. “ Taken Away: A Musical Trilogy ” opens Friday, April 26, at Cahn Auditorium.

The show begins with “The Art of the Heist,” a supernatural tale that follows an artist who must steal back the last portrait of her late lover, followed by “Stolen Thunder,” a reimagining of Greek myth portraying the struggle for power between Zeus and Athena. It closes with “A Bird’s Song,” which centers on a whimsical forest-surrounded town outside reality, where melodies have transformational consequences.

With their varied settings, plots and musical styles, the works offer a glimpse of the many forms musicals can take. However, as the show’s title suggests, they are united by the common theme of something being taken away, with additional smaller motifs throughout the works in the form of details like set pieces and musical themes. The same cast members also act in all three shows.

Buttressing the change to the structure of the show are changes to the creative process behind it. This year, students began work on the show sooner, pitching and workshopping ideas in the fall so they could begin refining and revising in the winter, beginning spring rehearsals from a strong foundation.

It’s really what theater should be, which is experimental, fun, moving and shocking.”

Alongside the schedule change, faculty mentorship has been integral to every stage of this year’s show-writing process. At the center of these efforts are Tommy Rapley, the show’s director and an assistant professor of instruction in the School of Communication’s theatre program, and Ryan T. Nelson, a long-time Waa-Mu music supervisor and an associate professor of instruction in the same department. The new approach allows students to engage more deeply with the work and each other, Nelson said.

“It's about connecting the classroom and the practical performance of theater and engaging students and faculty,” he said.

Anand Choudhary, a second-year psychology major in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences who is in the show’s cast for the second year, said this year’s process has placed a new emphasis on the educational aspect of The Waa-Mu Show.

“I've learned so much of how to become a better actor, how to connect with the script, how to connect with my character and how to have fun doing it, too,” Choudhary said.

For Sadie Fridley, the Waa-Mu Show has always been a chance to experience the magic of watching ideas and “what-ifs” transform into a full production on the stage in Cahn. The third-year student in the School of Communication’s theatre program has been part of the show’s cast and music team every year since she arrived at Northwestern. This year, she said, students have been able to dig deep into the emotional hearts of their shows.

“I think that we've pushed a lot of boundaries this year, in staging, in set, in music, in story, and I'm really excited for the audience to feel things that they've never felt at a Waa-Mu show before,” Fridley said.

Emerson Steady, who pitched what became “The Art of the Heist” and is a writer and co-script supervisor for the piece, said the change to the format is also a chance to embrace a spirit of experimentation that is dominant in the professional musical theater world.

“I really am excited for the audience to come in with an open mind and get a glimpse of what musical theater can be, all the potential,” Steady said.

The third-year student in the School of Communication’s theatre program was also a writer for last year’s production, and they’re eager to see how subsequent Waa-Mu Shows develop.

“I hope it continues to evolve,” they said. “I hope that it never gets nailed down to be one particular thing.”

Whatever the future holds, the Waa-Mu cast and crew are looking forward to when the curtain rises on the latest iteration of the show this weekend, and they hope the audience is, too.

“It's going to be a wild ride,” Nelson said. “I think it's going to be quite historic. It's really what theater should be, which is experimental, fun, moving and shocking.”

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Protesters set up tent encampment on Northwestern University campus

The protests mirror several demonstrations over the israel-hamas war happening at college campuses in the u.s., by nbc chicago staff and the associated press • published april 25, 2024 • updated on april 25, 2024 at 4:53 pm.

Hundreds joined an Israel-Hamas war protest on Northwestern University's campus Thursday, setting up an encampment described by demonstrators as an "occupation," which led to some tense moments between authorities and students.

The protests mirror several demonstrations happening at college campuses in the U.S.

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The group, which cited a list of several demands, including calls for the protection of student "civil liberties and safety," as well as an end to academic partnerships and investments from groups or companies supporting Israel, began setting up tents around 7 a.m. at Northwestern's Deering Meadow.

"The ongoing ethnic cleansing and genocide of the people of Gaza has made Palestinians victims of what is one of the most brutal war crimes in modern history. Because of this, Northwestern students, faculty, and staff are putting their bodies, education, and jobs on the line to stand with the Palestinian people," the group said in a release.

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Some at the scene also told NBC Chicago they are calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.

A spokesperson for the university said the tent encampment is "an act that is prohibited under University policies."

"University officials, including Northwestern Police and representatives from Student Affairs, are on site and have informed the group of the policies. They are working with the demonstrators to have the tents removed," spokesperson Jon Yates said in a statement. "Students who refuse to remove their tents will be subject to arrest and their tents will be removed by the University. Community members who do not adhere to University policies will face discipline. Northwestern is committed to the principles of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly – and to protecting the safety of all members of our community, as well as limiting disruptions to University operations."

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By 8:30 a.m., Northwestern University police attempted to physically remove tents from the campus as students linked arms to stop them. At one point, an Evanston resident stood across the street from protesters holding an American flag and a flag from Israel before one of the protesters stole the flags and was seen throwing them into one of the tents.

The Anti-Defamation League Midwest issued a response to the protests saying they "fully support the right to protest" but added "when protests turn into harassment and threats toward Jewish students - cornerstones of the encampment movement - enough is enough."

"We've voiced concerns about this escalation with NU officials and are following their response."

We fully support the right to protest. But when protests turn into harassment and threats toward Jewish students - cornerstones of the encampment movement - enough is enough. We’ve voiced concerns about this escalation with NU officials and are following their response. https://t.co/k3Fbl4Qaco — ADL Midwest (@ADLMidwest) April 25, 2024

The American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, however, urged campus officials and law enforcement "to exercise restraint in dismantling student encampments constructed as part of demonstrations."

"Colleges and universities must resist pressure to restrict or prohibit student protest – even on contentious issues – and adhere to their stated commitment to free speech, peaceful protest, and dissent on campus," the statement read. "Institutions of higher learning historically have recognized the importance of protecting a wide range of free speech to further academic inquiry and discussion of public policy matters. In many instances, especially in times of war, protests on campus can be loud, disruptive, and offensive to others. The role of a university is to help students navigate this situation, not to shut down protest. Protest is the most American of actions – a principle entrenched in our history and our First Amendment.  It is important to recognize that all students deserve equal access to education, free from discrimination based on religion, race and ethnicity.  Schools have a responsibility to protect students from discrimination and violence, including acts of violence at the hands of police and campus security. Administrators have a responsibility to address those who engage in violent acts or unlawful harassment on campus without closing down peaceful protest."

No arrests had been made as of Thursday afternoon, but the group said they are prepared to stay in place for days.

Student protests over the Israel-Hamas war have popped up on an increasing number of college campuses following last week's arrest of more than 100 demonstrators at Columbia University.

By Thursday, police in Boston and Los Angeles said they had arrested protesters at schools in those cities and at least one university announced that it had closed its campus. Protests on Wednesday on the campuses of at least two universities involved clashes with police, while another university shut down its campus for the rest of the week.

The students are calling for universities to separate themselves from any companies that are advancing Israel’s military efforts in Gaza — and in some cases from Israel itself.

Protests on many campuses have been orchestrated by coalitions of  student groups . The groups largely act independently, though students say they’re inspired by peers at other universities.

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