Campus Protests and Arrests: Updates from California to New York

Police arrest 32 at Cal Poly Humboldt, campus to remain closed until May 10

California State Polytechnic University is in the midst of a cleanup operation on campus after 32 individuals, including 13 students and one faculty member, were arrested late Tuesday for their involvement in what the university described as the “illegal occupation of two campus buildings.” The remaining individuals arrested had no affiliation with the college, according to a statement released by Humboldt.

University staff are currently working to clear Siemens Hall and Nelson Hall East of garbage and graffiti, with plans to continue the cleanup efforts. The campus will remain under a “hard closure” until May 10, with modifications to commencement ceremonies expected.

In other news related to campus protests, Palestinian students in Gaza are finding strength in the demonstrations taking place at U.S. college campuses. Despite the ongoing conflict in Gaza, students like Reem Musa Suleiman Abu Shinar are proud of the support they are receiving from their peers in America.

As tensions continue to rise on college campuses, the University of Arizona police used “chemical irritant munitions” to disperse a protest on campus, while UCLA’s pro-Palestinian protesters faced violence from counterprotesters. Additionally, around 300 individuals have been arrested in connection with protests at Columbia and CCNY, with the USC president condemning antisemitic symbols drawn on campus.

The situation at UCLA remains tense, with rival groups clashing and protesters refusing to leave despite calls from law enforcement. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has condemned the violence at UCLA as “abhorrent and inexcusable,” with the LAPD now present on campus.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also commented on the ongoing protests at U.S. universities, emphasizing the importance of the Gaza conflict in today’s world. He noted that efforts to silence Gaza in the global conversation will not succeed, pointing to the protests happening at American and European universities as evidence of continued support for the Palestinian cause.