CALIFORNIA, USA — Dozens of police officers in helmets and carrying batons marched onto the Cal Poly Humboldt campus early Tuesday and cleared two buildings occupied by protesters.
Student protests over the Israel-Hamas war have popped up at many college campuses following the arrest of demonstrators this month at Columbia University.
In Northern California, Cal Poly Humboldt has been closed since April 22 after protestors occupied Siemens Hall. Since then protestors also occupied another building on campus, Nelson Hall East.
The university said 25 people were arrested and there were no injuries.
The people who were arrested face a range of different charges depending on the person which could include unlawful assembly, vandalism, conspiracy, and assault of police officers, among others. The university said students could face discipline for conduct violations and employees could face disciplinary action.
“This is a difficult day, it breaks my heart to see it, and truly nobody wanted to see things come to this. We’ve all watched this with great concern, and always with the sincere hope that it would be resolved peacefully. Unfortunately, serious criminal activity that crossed the line well beyond the level of a protest had put the campus at ongoing risk," Cal Poly Humboldt President Tom Jackson Jr. said in a statement.
The university earlier announced a “hard closure” through May 10, meaning that people were not permitted to enter or be on campus without authorization.
The university’s website posted a shelter-in-place order for the campus early Tuesday because of “continuing criminal activity on campus.” The shelter-in-place has since been lifted for residents living on campus, but the university warns people to stay vigilant.
“I understand the widespread frustration caused by the campus closure, threatening behavior, and lawlessness we've witnessed over the past week. By restoring order, we've sent a clear message that the criminal and dangerous activities we experienced were not peaceful protests, but outright criminal behavior, which is unacceptable," Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal said in a statement.
Sacramento State
Demonstrators gathered Monday at Sacramento State with pro-Palestinian signs in a protest over the Israel-Hamas war.
An encampment is set up at the library quad area on Sacramento State's campus. Students for Justice in Palestine at Sacramento State sent a letter to the administration and leaders at Sacramento State calling for the university to separate itself from any companies advancing Israel’s military efforts in Gaza.
Sacramento State's last day of instruction is May 10 with finals week running from May 13-17. Graduation is scheduled for May 17-19. Other college campuses have canceled graduation and are planning other celebrations amid the protests.
Watch more on ABC10 | College Protests: Demonstrators gather at Sacramento State in Gaza war protest
University of Southern California
Encampment organizers met with university President Carol Folt for about 90 minutes Monday. Folt declined to discuss details of what was discussed but said the purpose of the meeting was to allow her to hear the concerns of protesters. Another meeting was scheduled for Tuesday.
The university has canceled its main stage graduation ceremony, set for May 10. It already canceled a commencement speech by the school’s pro-Palestinian valedictorian, citing safety concerns.
University of California, Los Angeles
A few dozen faculty members staged a walkout Monday, joining pro-Palestinian protesters who have been camping around-the-clock on campus. The teachers and other employees said they came out to amplify the demands of demonstrators.
The scene was less tense than Sunday, when protesters shouted and shoved each other during dueling demonstrations.
