In a series of escalating protests, clashes between students and police have erupted at universities across the United States, with dozens of arrests being made. The demonstrations are in opposition to Israel's military actions in Gaza.

At the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin), police dismantled an encampment set up by protesters calling for the university to sever ties with Israel. At least 40 demonstrators were arrested on charges of trespassing and disorderly conduct. The clashes became intense, with officers in riot gear encircling sitting protesters and forcibly removing them one by one. Another group of demonstrators trapped police and a van full of detainees between buildings, leading to the use of pepper spray and flash-bang devices to disperse the crowd.

The protests have spread to other universities, including Columbia University in New York City. Students defied an ultimatum to disperse, resulting in suspensions being handed out. The Columbia and UT Austin demonstrations are part of a wave of protests sweeping across the country, affecting Yale, George Washington University, and the University of California, Los Angeles. These incidents have raised concerns about academic freedom and free speech.

According to experts at the United Nations, Israel is accused of committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, with reported deaths of at least 34,488 Palestinians since October 7. The demonstrations at the universities aim to pressure the institutions to cut ties with Israel.

The widespread student activism has prompted a response from university administrations. Some officials have called for police intervention to remove the protesters, while others have begun suspending students who refuse to disperse. School administrators argue that the encampments and disruptions interfere with teaching and preparations for final exams.

However, the student organizers behind the protests argue that they are advocating for the rights of Palestinian civilians affected by Israel's actions and deny any allegations of anti-Semitism. The protests have remained largely peaceful and non-violent, with students expressing their determination to continue their activism.

The universities, recognizing the students' right to free speech, have offered alternative venues for the protests after exams and graduation. Negotiations between the administrations and student protesters at Columbia University fell through, leading to the encampment and subsequent suspensions.

As the demonstrations continue, both the police and university administrators face scrutiny for their handling of the protests. The police's reluctance to use force against peaceful protesters highlights the delicate balance between maintaining order and respecting individual rights.

The student protests highlight the deep divide surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict and have sparked a national conversation about the limits of free speech on university campuses. Numbers of arrests have been approaching 1,000 as the unrest unfolds in the final days of classes.

Overall, student activists across American universities are using their voices to shed light on the ongoing conflict in Gaza and to call for change in their institutions' relationships with Israel.