Protesters at UT Austin, Harvard, USC, and Columbia University engaged in confrontations with police and university officials over their opposition to Israeli military actions in the Middle East, leading to arrests and chaotic scenes.
The University of Texas at Austin became the latest battleground for anti-Israel demonstrations on Wednesday, with protesters clashing with police and state troopers. More than 100 protesters gathered on the school's South Lawn and attempted to set up tents before being met by law enforcement.
As state troopers moved in to clear the demonstrations, protesters could be heard shouting "Pigs go home!" and other incendiary statements at the officers. The Austin Police Department (APD) and Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) confirmed that over 20 arrests were made during the protest.
Republican Governor Greg Abbott strongly condemned the protest activity, calling for the expulsion of students involved in hate-filled and antisemitic protests at public colleges or universities in Texas.
At the University of Southern California (USC), chaos erupted as authorities cracked down on unlawful activity and arrested protesters. Hundreds of students clashed with USC Department of Public Safety officers in escalating confrontations.
Amidst the turmoil, some protesters were seen falling on the cement sidewalk. Calls for help and verbal abuse directed at police officers filled the air as the situation intensified.
Harvard University also witnessed anti-Israel protests on Wednesday. Demonstrators established a "Gaza solidarity encampment" at Harvard Yard, rapidly setting up tents in the quadrangle.
As of Wednesday night, at least 20 tents remained on campus, with protesters planning to stay overnight. They appealed for donations of water, food, sleeping bags, and tents through the Harvard College Palestine Solidarity Committee.
Columbia University, which has experienced a week of anti-Israel protests, was again flooded with demonstrators on Wednesday. U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson visited the campus to address the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Johnson expressed concern over threats, fear, and intimidation on campuses, arguing that antisemitism must not be tolerated. He conveyed his intention to discuss National Guard intervention with President Biden if the situation was not contained swiftly.
In recent days, several prestigious universities, including Princeton, MIT, Harvard, Stanford, and Yale, have become hotbeds of anti-Israel sentiment. Over half of the top 50 U.S. universities have experienced anti-Israel protests in the past week.
These protests have sparked concerns about the prevalence of antisemitism on college campuses and the need to maintain a safe and inclusive environment for all students.
