In another scene of college protests against the Israeli war on Gaza, hundreds gathered at the University of Utah in the state of Utah, as protestors called on the university to divest of its ties to "Israel".

However, only two hours after the encampment began, state Gov. Spencer Cox released a statement warning protesters to mind what he said is constitutionally protected free speech and what is not.

We hold dear our First Amendment rights to protest and peaceably assemble. The First Amendment does not protect violence, threats to public safety, property damage, camping or disruptions to our learning institutions. We will protect protestors and arrest those who violate the…

— Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox (@GovCox) April 30, 2024

A message from the University of Utah then followed through a loudspeaker to demonstrators, "Students, faculty, staff, and community members, you have the right to express your viewpoint and we have heard you. You do not, however, have the right to set up structures or camp overnight. You are violating Utah state law and University of Utah free speech policy."

It continued to outline the resulting consequences.

"Students – University discipline ranging from probation to suspension, and criminal trespass and disorderly conduct charges. Faculty and staff – University discipline including up to termination, and criminal trespass and disorderly conduct charges. Community members – criminal trespass and disorderly conduct charges."

Now at the University of Utah, police in riot gear are assaulting and terrorising the students whilst they protest in solidarity with Gaza. pic.twitter.com/2ZbRnCQrG9

— Eye on Palestine (@EyeonPalestine) April 30, 2024

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Students stand their ground

The first university to clear the encampments for Gaza was Brown University, doing so on agreeable terms. The university reached a deal with students to consider divesting from "Israel" in exchange for the encampment for Gaza on campus to be removed. 

Brown President Christina Paxson said in her statement that students agreed to end the protest and clear the location by 5:00 pm local time Tuesday, refraining "from further actions that would violate Brown's conduct code through the end of the academic year."

In exchange for that, "five students will be invited to meet with five members of the Corporation of Brown University in May to present their arguments to divest Brown's endowment from 'companies enabling and profiting from the genocide in Gaza'."

Then, Columbia cleared its campuses, forcefully and with police aggression. 

Yesterday, it stated that students who took over a campus building as part of pro-Palestinian protests face being expelled from their academic programs, the latest move in a standoff with school officials.

"Students occupying the building face expulsion," Columbia's Office of Public Affairs said in a statement, claiming that the protesters were provided "the opportunity to leave peacefully" but instead declined and escalated the situation, failing to mention the deployment of police earlier to crack down on the peaceful protests. 

Now, police have sealed off the Columbia University campus, erecting barricades around it, according to an Agence France-Presse (AFP) reporter.

"We will remain here, drawing from the lessons of our people [in Gaza] that stay put, and hold their ground even under the worst conditions," a protester told reporters outside Hind's Hall. Despite punitive action taken against students and threats to expel others, the movement has remained steadfast, vowing to carry on with the protests until their demands are met. 

Read more: UN rights chief 'troubled' by US handling of student protests