Students protesting against the Israel-Hamas war at universities across the US, some of whom have clashed with police in riot gear, vowed to keep their demonstrations going on Saturday.
Though the university has repeatedly set and then pushed back deadlines for the removal of the encampment, the university sent an email to students on Friday night saying that bringing back police “at this time” would be counterproductive, adding that they hope the negotiations show “concrete signs of progress tonight”.
California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, had given protesters who have barricaded themselves inside a building since Monday until 5pm on Friday to leave and “not be immediately arrested”. Students representing the Columbia encampment, which inspired the wave of protests across the country, said on Friday that they reached an impasse with administrators and intend to continue their protest.
Columbia’s president, Minouche Shafik, faced significant criticism from faculty on Friday, but retained the support of trustees. In response, university spokesperson Ben Chang said in the evening that “we are committed to an ongoing dialogue and appreciate the Senate’s constructive engagement in finding a pathway forward”.Also on Friday, Columbia student protester Khymani James retracted comments made in an online video in January that recently re-emerged. Mr James said in the video that “Zionists don’t deserve to live” and people should be grateful Mr James was not killing them.