Protests erupted at several prestigious universities, including New York University, Yale, Columbia, and Harvard, as tensions over the conflict in Gaza and Israel spilled onto campuses. The police arrested and dispersed protesters, leading to further unrest. The demonstrations, triggered by the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, intensified after Columbia students erected an encampment. The universities struggled to manage the situation, facing criticism from students, faculty, and lawmakers. The protests, influenced by the situation in Columbia, spread to other campuses, with demands for divestment from arms manufacturers and expressions of solidarity with Palestine. The universities grappled with balancing free speech and safety concerns, as the crisis showed no signs of abating.