Tensions flare across US universities as pro-Palestine protesters clash with police

Tensions escalated across different university campuses in the United States on Tuesday(April 23) as pro-Palestinian protests by angry students led to mass arrests and the closure of classes.

At Columbia University in New York, from where the protests flared, the students have been appealing to the university to divest from companies "that profit from Israeli apartheid, genocide and occupation in Palestine."

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The protests appeared to be turning violent as New York Police Department (NYPD) officers said students pelted bottles at them and someone even bashed a chair on a police personnel's helmet.

Also Read:Pro-Palestine protests rock US schools, teachers stage walkout over mass arrests on campus

Speaking to WABC, Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtrysaid, “As you can see, our officers were professional. Looks like they’re getting hurt with bottles, chairs, and so the individual that threw the chair at the officer, we are doing a video compilation, and we’re gonna find you, we’re gonna arrest you for attempted assault. You’re gonna have the full weight of Police Commissioner Caban’s police department coming for you.”

On Monday, nearly 120 people were arrested from the private universities, according to NYPD. Meanwhile,Columbia University's president announced a midnight deadline for students and others to reach an agreement regarding dismantling an encampment inside the campus.

In a letter,Columbia University President Minouche Shafik said, “The encampment raises serious safety concerns, disrupts campus life, and has created a tense and at times hostile environment for many members of our community.It is essential that we moveforward with a plan to dismantle it."

“I very much hope these discussions are successful. If they are not, we will have to consider alternative options for clearing the West Lawn and restoring calm to campus so that students can complete the term and graduate,” Shafik added.

Trumpcalls Columbia University's decision to extend remote classes 'a grave mistake'

Former US President Donald Trump Tuesday (April 23) said that Columbia University's leadership made a “grave mistake” in making all classes hybridat its main campus till thespringsemester ends.

“What's going on with the colleges where they're closing Columbia now? I mean, it's just crazy. Columbia should gain a little strength, and a little courage and keep their school open. It's crazy. Because that means the other side wins,” said Trump. “The people running Columbia have made a grave mistake," he added.

University of New Mexico also joins other universities in pro-Palestine demonstration

Students, along with the staff and faculty at the University of New Mexico, also beganprotestingin support of Gazain a peaceful manner.

On Tuesday, "members of our UNM community assembled at the UNM Duck Pond in peaceful protest," said the universityin a statement.

Watch: US: Jewish students continue to feel targeted

A few of them also set up tents and brought sleeping bags, which is in violation of school policy, they said.

"Police monitored the situation throughout the evening, without incident, and around midnight advised those who were remaining that their tents needed to be taken down or they would be cited," read the statement.

"The tents were eventually taken down, with some people remaining at the duck pond," it added.

(With inputs from agencies)