Over 100 students arrested amid pro-Palestinian protests on US campuses

Dozens of protesters were detained as demonstrations in solidarity with Columbia University and against Israel's offensive on Gaza intensified.

Police intervened and arrested more than 100 students at New York University (NYU) who continued their demonstration on campus in solidarity with the students at Columbia University and to oppose Israel's attacks on Gaza, in New York, United States on Monday.

Pro-Palestinian protesters have launched a wave of protests on campus condemning Israel's offensive on the Gaza Strip, which has displaced over 75% of the coastal enclave's estimated 2.3 million people, and resulted in over 34,000 deaths, according to Gaza health officials.

Dozens of people were arrested at NYU in Manhattan on Monday as pro-Palestinian campus protests escalated across the U.S.

Police arrest 45 people at Yale University 

"Officers from the New York Police Department (NYPD) clad in riot gear moved in on the NYU encampment and used zip ties to detain protestors who condemned Israel's offensive on the Gaza Strip, which has claimed more than 34,000 lives," media reports stated.

The crackdown at NYU came hours after police arrested 45 people at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut and after New York’s Columbia University announced that it was switching to online classes due to pro-Palestinian protests.

Columbia University shifts to online classes

Columbia University President Minouche Shafik, who faces mounting calls to resign, said the "decibel" of the disagreements has only increased in recent days.

"To deescalate the rancor and give us all a chance to consider next steps, I am announcing that all classes will be held virtually on Monday," Shafik said in a statement.

Daughter of US representative arrested

Over 100 students, including the daughter of U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar, were arrested at Columbia on Thursday as they were staging a sit-in after Shafik called on the NYPD to clear the demonstration.

All 10 New York Republicans in the House of Representatives called on Shafik to step down from her post amid the ongoing protests.

The lawmakers said on Monday in a letter to Shafik that "anarchy has engulfed" the school's Manhattan campus and accused the president of failing to provide students with "a safe learning environment."

Source: Newsroom