Pro-Palestine protests spread to more colleges with Texas students arrested and encampment erected at USC: Live

The Columbia University Office of Public Affairs held a press briefing shortly after House Speaker Mike Johnson left the campus.

Mr Johnson called for the resignation of the university’s president, Minouche Shafik, if she could not immediately quash the ongoing pro-Palestine protests occurring on campus.

Ben Chang, the Vice President for Communications and Spokesperson for Columbia University, addressed reporters, saying the ongoing protests were in violation of university rules, “full stop,” but said the administration would continue its negotiations with students to resolve the issues on campus.

Mr Chang confirmed that Ms Shafik met with Mr Johnson, and said that she shared “the representative’s focus on and commitment to the safety and security of all members of the campus community, as she appreciates help from all of those who offer it”.

He said that Columbia was making advancements in negotiations with student protesters. Those include studnet protest leaders agreeing to complying with FDNY safety guidelines and the dismantling of some of the embankment, as well as the exclusion of protesters who are not enrolled at the institution.

He said that the university would continue to negotiate with students over the course of the next 48 hours.

Mr Chang added that there was never any plan for the university to call in the National Guard to break up the protests.

He condemned any and all discriminatory acts toward any student on the campus, and said any reported instances of harassment or intimidation would be investigated by the university and addressed.

He called the protests “disgusting” and “unnecessary” ahead of his visit. The day before his visit, the UN issued a report that it had found “mass graves” in Gaza, where Palestinians — including women, the elderly, and the wounded — had been found dead. Some of the remains allegedly had their hands bound.

Mr Johnson arrived to chorus of boos and consistent shouts from protesters, including chants of “we can’t hear you.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson called on Columbia University President Minouche Shafik to resign for her “failure,” in his estimation, to protect Jewish students on campus.

Mr Johnson said she should step down unless she could immediately end the protests on campus.

He was met with a loud chorus of boos after calling for her resignation.

House Speaker Mike Johnson visited Columbia University today amid ongoing pro-Palestine protests to call for the university’s president to resign and to address Jewish students.

He called the protests “disgusting” and “unnecessary” ahead of his visit. The day before his visit, the UN issued a report that it had found “mass graves” in Gaza, where Palestinians — including women, the elderly, and the wounded — had been found dead. Some of the remains allegedly had their hands bound.

Mr Johnson arrived to chorus of boos and consistent shouts from protesters, including chants of “we can’t hear you.”

He said Israel and Jewish students would “never stand alone” and said the protesters were supporting terrorists and “gnashing their teeth” at the existence of Israel.

Mr Johnson continued, calling the protesters “lawless agitators” and characterised all of the pro-Palestine protests across US campuses as “anti-semitic.”

At one point, Mr Johnson stopped his speech due to ongoing chants and said “enjoy your free speech”.

On Wednesday afternoon, police on horseback arrived at University of Texas at Austin’s campus and began arresting students, according to The Texas Tribune. At least 10 people participating in the protest were detained. The university’s Palestine Solidarity Committee organised the demonstration.

The students were demanding that the institution divest from manufacturers supply Israel weapons in attacks against Palestine. The students gathered at a campus gym with plans to march through the university and hold a sit-in. By 12pm CT, 200 students had banded together.

A large crowd has gathered at Columbia University, where House Speaker Mike Johnson is expected to deliver remarks condemning the pro-Palestine protests on campus and calling for the university president’s resignation.

Texas Department of Public Safety troopers sent to the University of Austin by Governor Greg Abbott to quash a pro-Palestine protest have declared all of the demonstrators to be trespassing.

DPS troopers said they would arrest any protesters who remain after their order to disperse.