Austin, Texas – Following clashes between law enforcement and student protesters at various universities across the nation regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict, police at the University of Southern California peacefully arrested demonstrators. Earlier in the day, tensions escalated between police and protesters at USC, with a group of demonstrators being detained without incident in the evening.

In contrast, a chaotic scene unfolded at the University of Texas at Austin, where local and state police, including mounted officers and those wielding batons, aggressively confronted protesters, resulting in 34 arrests. A photographer covering the demonstration for Fox 7 Austin was caught in the chaos, with video footage showing an officer pulling him to the ground.

Dane Urquhart, a student at the University of Texas, criticized the police response as an “overreaction,” suggesting that the protest could have remained peaceful without a heavy police presence. The situation eventually de-escalated, with demonstrators returning to sit and chant under the university’s clock tower.

As tensions continued to rise at other universities, students at California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, remained barricaded inside a building, prompting the school to transition to virtual classes. At Harvard University, restrictions were imposed to deter protests, but demonstrators still set up camp with 14 tents in response to the suspension of the Harvard Undergraduate Palestine Solidarity Committee.

Protests calling for divestment from Israeli ties and companies involved in the conflict have sparked concerns of antisemitism among some Jewish students, leading to fears about campus safety. In New York University, over 130 protesters were taken into custody, while Yale University and Columbia University also faced challenges in managing demonstrations.

To address the escalating situation, University President Minouche Shafik of Columbia University extended negotiations with protesters after an initial deadline, seeking to find a resolution without resorting to drastic measures. The involvement of U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson raised concerns about restoring order on campuses and the use of the National Guard in extreme cases.

Ongoing discussions and demonstrations across multiple universities highlight the complex dynamics of addressing political protests on campus grounds. As students continue to voice concerns and demand action, university administrators face the challenge of balancing free speech rights with maintaining order and safety on campus.