Columbia protesters take a building as anti-war rallies increase. Live updates.

A city in New York Columbia University’s campus was closed on Tuesday as a result of protesters seizing an academic building and blocking the entrance with a human chain. The only people who were allowed to remain on campus were students who were staying in resident halls and key personnel.

The protesters took control of Hamilton Hall a few hours after the school announced that it had begun suspending student demonstrators “as part of this next phase of our efforts to ensure safety on our campus.” The announcement was made by the school.

Just a short distance away from Hamilton Hall is an encampment that has been the main point of student demonstrations around the country for the past two weeks. These demonstrations have been taking place all over the country. The protesters have taken control of the encampment, and they are now resisting the attack that Israel is doing in Gaza. Students broke inside the building at a little after 12:30 in the morning and barricaded themselves with trash cans, metal tables, and wooden chairs. They were able to escape.

In a message posted on social media, Students for Justice in Palestine at Columbia University announced that “an autonomous group of students reclaimed the building as ‘Hind’s Hall’ in honor of Hind Rajab, a 6-year-old girl from Gaza.” Hind Rajab was a Palestinian girl. “We continue to stand in solidarity with Palestinian Liberation.”

The demonstrators were successful in releasing a few of the individuals who were inside the building at the time of the takeover effort. Laborers were among the folks in question. Other supporters marched and led shouts in support of Gaza and divesting from Columbia. At the same time, supporters linked arms to form a line that protected the entrance to the building. A banner that read “Hinds Hall” was hung from a window inside the structure of the building.

Those who are protesting at Columbia University are demanding that the university put an end to its investments with companies that are making money off of Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. In addition to this, they are attempting to get amnesty for the staff members and students who took part in the demonstration. The civilian toll in Gaza, which has increased to more than 34,000 since the Israeli incursion that followed an attack directed by Hamas that targeted approximately 1,200 people in Israel, has been a motivating force behind the rallies that have taken place on college campuses. These rallies have been held in response to the Israeli incursion.

Developments:

Authorities at Portland State campus in Oregon issued a request for help from the police in order to assist with the evacuation of dozens of protesters who were occupying a campus library. The demonstrators were expressing their desire to be freed from their occupation. Because the university is preparing for a probe regarding the sale of weapons to Israel, it has put a halt on any requests for donations or presents from Boeing, as well as any acceptance of such requests or gifts. This is a precautionary move that was taken in preparation for the investigation.

After briefly seizing possession of an administration building at Princeton University, thirteen individuals were arrested and taken into custody late on Monday night. The incident occurred after they had done so for a short length of time. On Thursday, demonstrations began taking place on the campus of the educational institution that is located in the state of New Jersey. These demonstrations have been going on since earlier this week.

Police dismantle encampment at University of Utah

The police dispersed demonstrators and destroyed an encampment late on Monday night, following a rally that was conducted outside of an administration building on the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City. The rally was held in response to the incident that occurred earlier in the day. When the event was held, there were more than three hundred people who showed out to participate. According to a statement that was made by the school, law enforcement officers seized and deconstructed around a dozen tents, in addition to collections of water bottles, food, and toilet paper. The statement also indicated that the tents were all confiscated. In addition to that, the statement mentioned that the tents had been disassembled. Furthermore, a handful of protestors dismantled their own tents and drove away from the location where the demonstration was taking place.

According to Keith Squires, the chief safety officer of the institution, “Utah college campuses around the state are not exempt from the significant unrest that currently exists in our country and the world.” This statement was made by Squires. It was Squires who brought forth this assertion. Campuses serve the purpose of giving a stage and a venue for individuals who are not only students but also members of the community who are interested in having their ideas heard. Campuses are designed to serve this goal. Our campus must adhere to the standards of the institution as well as the laws of the state in order to ensure that the right to free expression is exercised in a manner that is considered appropriate. Despite the fact that we appreciate one another’s points of view, we must do it in a manner that is in accordance with the law.

What are college protests across the US about?

As part of their opposition to Israel’s military operations in Gaza, the student protesters have expressed their desire for their educational institutions to cease providing endowment funds to Israeli corporations and other enterprises, such as weapons manufacturers, that profit from the conflict in Gaza. A cease-fire is being called for by protestors, and student governments at some universities have passed resolutions in recent weeks calling for an end to academic cooperation with Israel. In addition, divestment is being called for by protesters. In addition, the demonstrators are demanding that the United States cease providing financial support and military equipment to the war effort.

Amnesty for students and teachers who participated in the demonstrations has emerged as a topic of discussion in more recent times. Protesters are demanding protections in the face of threats of disciplinary punishment and firing for individuals who participate in demonstrations that violate university policy or local laws.