Dozens of protesters have taken over a building at Columbia University in New York, barricading the entrances and unfurling a Palestinian flag out of a window in the latest escalation of demonstrations against the Israel-Hamas war that have spread to college campuses across the US. The protest at Columbia comes as universities grapple with clearing encampments ahead of commencement ceremonies, resulting in clashes with police and numerous arrests.

Video footage showed protesters on Columbia's Manhattan campus locking arms in front of Hamilton Hall early on Tuesday, carrying furniture and metal barricades to the building. Hamilton Hall, known for being occupied during a civil rights and anti-Vietnam war protest in 1968, became the center of attention as protesters urged people to protect the encampment and join them.

The encampment, which consisted of about 120 tents, faced a deadline of 2pm on Monday to disperse, or face suspension. However, the protesters defied the deadline and remained on campus. The student radio station, WKCR-FM, provided a play-by-play of the takeover of Hamilton Hall, which occurred nearly 12 hours after the deadline.

Representatives for Columbia University did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The university has started suspending students involved in the protests, although specific details were not provided. Columbia's handling of the demonstrations has resulted in federal complaints, with a class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of Jewish students alleging a breach of contract and a legal group representing pro-Palestinian students urging an investigation into Columbia's compliance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The protests at Columbia are part of a wider outcry across campuses nationwide, with demonstrations against the Israel-Hamas war and its mounting death toll. The number of arrests at universities is approaching 1,000 as the end of the academic year approaches. These protests have also forced colleges to confront their financial ties to Israel and grapple with issues of free speech. However, some Jewish students have raised concerns about the protests crossing into antisemitism and creating an atmosphere of fear on campus.

Other universities in the US have also experienced protests and arrests. At the University of Texas at Austin, at least 40 demonstrators were arrested on Monday, adding to the more than 50 protesters arrested last week. Similarly, at the University of Utah, police in riot gear attempted to break up an encampment resulting in the arrest of 17 individuals.

The plight of arrested students has become a central focus of the protests, with both students and faculty demanding amnesty for the demonstrators. The issue at hand revolves around the potential long-term consequences of suspensions and legal records on the lives of the students involved.

The protests at Columbia University and other campuses have sparked discussions about the Israel-Hamas war, the right to protest, and the treatment of students involved. As the tensions continue to mount, it remains to be seen how universities will navigate these challenges and address the concerns raised by both pro-Palestinian and Jewish students.

(Note: This article is generated using the provided information and does not reflect any personal opinions or biases.