Hundreds of anti-Israel protesters arrested on college campuses across the nation

College officials and law enforcement have taken action after many days of disruptive, and sometimes destructive, pro-Palestine encampments on university campuses around the country.

Tuesday night, 109 people were arrested by the NYPD on the campus of Columbia University, where protesters had occupied Hamilton Hall, the New York Times reported. Mayor Eric Adams blamed “outside agitators” for instigating the chaos.

More than 130 protestors were arrested at UCLA early Thursday morning as police in riot gear took down barricades and dispersed the protesters there, the Times also reported.

On Monday afternoon, Virginia Tech announced 82 individuals who took part in an encampment were arrested. 

“Virginia Tech Police can confirm that 82 individuals, 53 of whom are current Virginia Tech students, were arrested and all were charged with trespassing,” the university stated. 

Thirteen anti-Israel protesters were arrested at Princeton University for unlawfully occupying a campus building on Monday. 

At one point, around 100 people gathered outside Clio Hall with around 15 inside, who were warned they would be arrested if they did not vacate by a certain time. Thirteen of those were arrested. 

“All those arrested received summonses for trespassing and have been barred from campus,” Princeton University President Christopher Eisgruber stated on social media. “The students will also face University discipline, which may extend to suspension or expulsion.” 

On Saturday, 12 protestors, including nine students, were arrested for unlawfully trespassing on University of Mary Washington grounds.   

The encampment started on Friday in Jefferson Square. After several hours, the protesters extended an invitation to the public to join the encampment, leading to safety and security concerns on campus, according to NBC Washington. 

On Monday night, police with riot gear disbanded another pro-Palestine group and arrested 17 protesters at the University of Utah. 

Hundreds of students set up camp in the university’s Presidents Circle on Monday. 

Despite receiving multiple warnings to disperse, many of the protestors remained until police officers began removing and dismantling a dozen tents. 

“As of 11:45 p.m., 17 had been arrested. No injuries to protestors were reported. One officer was injured. One hatchet was confiscated,” the University Department of Public Safety stated.