Live updates: Pro-Palestinian protests at USC, Columbia University, college campuses nationwide

Pro-Palestinian protests continue at major US universities, with nearly 100 people arrested at the University of Southern California and dozens arrested at the University of Texas in Austin on Wednesday. Protesters at Columbia University, the epicenter of demonstrations that began last week, said they won’t disperse until the school agrees to cut ties with Israeli universities and commits to divesting funds from Israel-linked entities, among other demands. House Speaker Mike Johnson called on Columbia’s president to resign if she cannot bring order to the campus, where protesters say they are defending free speech and some Jewish students say they fear for their safety. Tensions on multiple US campuses were sparked after Hamas’ October 7 attack, where militants killed about 1,200 people and took over 200 hostages. Israel’s retaliatory assault on Gaza has killed more than 34,000 people, according to the enclave’s health ministry. Tensions escalated once police entered the University of Southern California campus, according to an editor of the Daily Trojan, the college’s newspaper. Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered at USC’s Alumni Park and were largely peaceful until scuffles broke out between police and demonstrators over posting signs on trees around noon. One person was arrested but quickly released following loud chants from protesters. The Los Angeles Police Department said 93 people were later arrested on suspicion of trespassing during Wednesday’s demonstrations at USC. Protesters had six demands, including an academic boycott of Israel, protecting free speech on campus, stopping displacement in Gaza and Palestinian territories, no policing on campus, and calling on USC to ’end the silence on the genocide and Palestine.' Pro-Palestinian protests continued at major US universities throughout Wednesday evening, even after law enforcement was called to step in and make arrests at campuses. Pro-Palestinian protesters at Columbia University said they won’t disperse until the school agrees to cut ties with Israeli academic institutions and commits to a ‘complete divestment’ of its funds from entities connected to Israel, among other demands. Tensions on multiple campuses were sparked after Hamas’ deadly October 7 attack on Israel. Some Jewish students say they are concerned for their safety on campus, and college administrators are facing increasing pressure from lawmakers to reign in protests. House Speaker Mike Johnson called on Columbia’s president to resign if she cannot bring order to the campus. While most protests have been non-violent, some Jewish students are worried for their safety. Negotiations between protesters and Columbia officials about clearing the encampment on its lawn were extended early Wednesday morning for another 48 hours. Police arrested nearly 100 protesters at the University of Southern California after a dispersal order. The Texas Department of Public Safety said that 34 arrests had been made by law enforcement on the University of Texas at Austin campus. The California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt campus will remain closed through the weekend as protesters continue to occupy two buildings. Work and classes will remain remote, and officials are considering keeping the campus closed for longer. There is growing tension at Columbia University amid the pro-Palestinian protests on the New York campus. Student protesters against Israel’s assault on Gaza are demanding Columbia cut all financial ties with Israel. While most protests have been non-violent, some Jewish students are expressing concern for their safety. Negotiations between protesters and Columbia officials about clearing the encampment on its lawn were extended early Wednesday morning for another 48 hours. The Columbia University Board of Trustees released a statement Wednesday saying they strongly support the university president, who has faced calls for her resignation amid intense pressure to rein in the protests. The board said it is “urgently working” with the president to resolve the unrest on campus and “rebuild the bonds of…”