Pro-Palestinian Protests Spark Arrests Across College Campuses, Divestment Demands Rise

As pro-Palestinian demonstrations have swept through college campuses across the country, both students and faculty members have been arrested as part of these protests. These protests gained momentum after a gathering on Columbia University’s campus in New York City resulted in over 100 arrests on April 18th. Since then, hundreds more individuals have been detained at universities from coast to coast ahead of graduation ceremonies. The University of Southern California witnessed nearly one hundred protesters being taken into custody last Friday (April 24). As a result, the university had to cancel its primary commencement event. In total, demonstrations and subsequent arrests have been recorded at more than twenty campuses spread across sixteen different states. Several other universities also saw protests without any arrests taking place. The protesters’ demands differ from one campus to another but many of them are urging their respective institutions to divest from companies that hold financial ties with Israel amid the ongoing conflict between it and Hamas. Some counter-protests have resulted in confrontations, including clashes at UCLA over the weekend (April 26). CNN is keeping a close eye on these campus protests and will continue updating this map as new arrests are reported.