From LA to NY, pro-Palestine college campus protests grow strong in US

Students at US universities protesting against Israel’s war on Gaza have pledged to continue occupying school grounds despite growing efforts by university leaders and police to clear the demonstrations.

As the protests that began at Columbia University in New York spread outside the United States, demonstrators nationwide are demanding that schools slash financial ties to Israel and divest from companies they say are enabling Israel’s nearly seven-month war on Gaza that has killed at least 34,388 people and 77,437 others.

Decisions to call in law enforcement to remove protesters have led to hundreds of arrests in various universities. They have also prompted faculty members at California, Georgia and Texas universities to initiate or pass largely symbolic votes of no confidence in their leadership.

But the tensions pile pressure on school officials, who are already scrambling to resolve the protests with graduation ceremonies set for next month.

Demonstrators drape statue of George Washington at George Washington University in a Palestinian flag and a keffiyeh. [Jose Luis Magana/AP Photo]

George Washington University students pray on the street after police close the students plaza during a pro-Palestinian protest. [Jose Luis Magana/AP Photo]

Law enforcement officers stand guard as students and pro-Palestinian supporters occupy a plaza at the New York University campus. [David Dee Delgado/Reuters]

Pro-Palestinian protesters rally at the University of Nevada, Reno. [Scott Sonner/AP Photo]

Pro-Palestinian students and faculty of Drexel University, Temple University and the University of Pennsylvania have erected an encampment at the University of Pennsylvania campus in Philadelphia. [Matthew Hatcher/AFP]

Students and pro-Palestinian supporters occupy a plaza at the New York University campus. [David Dee Delgado/Reuters]