Pro-Palestinian protests continue at US colleges. Here's what happened in Arizona
Students and faculty at colleges across the United States were continuing to protest Israel's invasion of the Gaza Strip despite repression efforts by police and university officials.
As anti-war encampments have spread across university campuses, hundreds have been arrested during the protest's call for the schools to cut financial ties with Israel or call for a cease-fire.
The University of Southern California announced Thursday that it would cancel its main graduation ceremony amid controversy over a canceled valedictorian speech and campus protests over the conflict in Gaza.
The announcement follows unrest on university campuses across the nation as protests over the Israel-Hamas war intensify.
At Arizona State University, about 100 students gathered to establish an encampment, and several were arrested. Earlier this week, about 200 students gathered for a protest at the University of Arizona.
Protests at both universities follow a national trend that began with protests at Columbia University, where more than 100 were arrested. On Monday, 60 people were arrested at Yale and 120 at New York University, according to AP. Another demonstration occurred Wednesday at USC in which 93 students and off-campus activists were arrested.
Since then, more demonstrations have occurred across the United States.
Why did USC cancel its graduation ceremony?
USC President Carol Folt said the school canceled the May 10 graduation ceremony due to security concerns and potential impacts on ceremony logistics.
The cancellation follows days of controversy after the university banned Asna Tabassum from giving this year's traditional valedictorian speech after she was opposed by campus pro-Israel groups that cited Tabassaum's support for Palestinians on her social media accounts.
Tabassum, a Muslim student of South Asian descent, called the efforts a "campaign of racist hatred" and expressed her disappointment with the university's decision in a statement.
After the announcement, large protests occurred, and more than 90 people were arrested on campus.
The school said it was concerned after receiving emails and messages warning of a plan to disrupt the commencement ceremony. At least one targeted Tabassaum, as reported by the New York Times.
Later, the university said it needed to cancel the ceremony because additional safety measures would considerably increase the time needed to process the large number of guests expected to attend.
The decision was met with criticism and frustration from students.
“We understand that this is disappointing; however, we are adding many new activities and celebrations to make this commencement academically meaningful," the school said in its announcement.
What is happening at ASU?
A group of demonstrators gathered at ASU on Friday, building a pro-Palestinian solidarity camp similar to those seen across the nation this week on the Alumni Lawn at the Tempe campus.
The number of arrests at ASU is unclear, and demonstrations were ongoing despite initial teardown and pushback from police.
Demonstrators were calling for the university's divestment from Israel, the reinstatement of MECHA de ASU, and the resignation of President Michael Crow, among other demands.
At about 1 a.m., about 50 people remained on the Alumni Lawn in front of Old Main near College Avenue and University Drive.
Shortly before 2 a.m., all the protesters had either dispersed or had been arrested. Alumni Lawn had been barricaded off.
About 200 students attended an anti-war protest on Tuesday at the University of Arizona campus in Tucson. The demonstration was organized by the university's chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine. It was unclear whether any arrests occurred.
Arizona Republic reporters Helen Rummel and Rey Covarrubias Jr. contributed to this article.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Why are students protesting? What to know about anti-war protests