Bruins

Hockey is sort of back in Boston.

While the Bruins' full squad isn’t expected to return to training camp until September 18, several regular players have already hit the ice at Warrior Ice Arena as a part of the captain's training sessions organized by the players.

It's an exciting first step at the beginning of any recent NHL season as players begin to shake off the rust of the offseason. Boston's 2024-25 roster includes many recent faces and younger players trying to tackle greater roles in the longer term.

As on-ice training intensifies in the approaching weeks, here's a take a look at five lineup and roster battles value keeping track of once training camp begins.

Second line right wing

The Bruins used most of their financial flexibility within the offseason to sign a top center in Elias Lindholm, an imposing defenseman in Nikita Zadorov and a few sluggers for the fourth line in Max Jones.

However, since the Bruins also had to save lots of a ton of cash to provide Jeremy Swayman a big raise, Boston was unable to sign a top-6 winger to interchange Jake DeBrusk this summer.

As polarizing as DeBrusk could also be for some Bruins fans, he was a reliable winger who scored 20 goals and developed right into a very strong forward and backward player in Boston – making him a reliable player in Jim Montgomery's system.

While the Bruins' first line of Lindholm, David Pastrnak and Pavel Zacha is kind of promising, it stays to be seen who will complete the second line of experienced players, which can likely include Charlie Coyle and Brad Marchand.

While the Bruins could determine to easily promote a longtime NHL player like Morgan Geekie or Trent Frederic to fill that spot in the highest six, Boston's depth would profit from keeping those two forwards further back within the lineup to reap the benefits of potential opponents.

The best-case scenario for Boston could be for 21-year-old Fabian Lysell to fill that key position within the lineup, giving the team an especially talented and cheap player who could help alongside Coyle and Marchand on offense.

Lysell has been consistently knocking around for NHL representation over the past 12 months and Boston should give him every opportunity this preseason to earn his spot with the massive club.

In addition to Lysell, the Bruins could also consider an experienced player with a paid contract like Tyler Johnson to fill that role, although Lysell actually has the higher odds.

A powerful training camp from Lysell would make it much easier for Jim Montgomery, Don Sweeney and the remaining of the Boston team to place the puzzle pieces together up front.

Substitute goalkeeper

There is little doubt that probably the most pressing query remaining for the Bruins is when the team and Swayman will finalize a brand new contract.

But there remains to be a number of uncertainty in regards to the remainder of Boston's newly formed goaltending corps now that Linus Ullmark is manning the online in Ottawa.

While the Bruins have done all the things right regarding veteran Joonas Korpisalo and his possibilities of orchestrating a comeback season in Boston, the presence of Brandon Bussi poses an interesting conundrum.

If you focus solely on asset management, there may be an excellent case for Bussi to start out the 12 months with the Bruins and Korpisalo to be released and sent to Providence – assuming each goalies are evenly matched within the preseason.

After two promising seasons in Providence, Bussi seemed destined for NHL representation before Korpisalo was added within the Ullmark trade. And with Bussi not exempt from waiver, the Bruins risk losing a solid young goalie for nothing in the event that they send him to Providence and check out to play with Korpisalo.

Even though the Bruins are banking on Korpisalo's potential, things could get interesting if Bussi performs well within the preseason. If the Bruins do indeed place Korpisalo on waivers, it's unlikely any team will take him on his current contract, so Boston could save a little bit of money ($1.15 million) by stashing him within the AHL.

This goalie battle could resolve itself if certainly one of Bussi/Korpisalo completely outdoes the opposite in the approaching weeks. But what if it's close? Then the Bruins will face a difficult decision.

Third Line Center

Just as Lysell secured a spot on the 2RW position, the Bruins would really like to see Matthew Poitras dominate within the preseason and emerge victorious within the battle for third-line center spots.

The 20-year-old center exceeded expectations by making the NHL roster straight from training camp last fall, scoring 13 points in his first 27 games and averaging 14:06 minutes on the ice per game.

As the season progressed, nevertheless, the rookie hit a dead end. His expected problems were compounded by a shoulder injury he suffered in a game against the Coyotes on December 9. After that game, Poitras played eight more games, scoring three points and averaging 11:18 minutes on the ice before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery.

Now that he's healthy again, the stronger Poitras needs to be able to construct on his performances from last season. But if the Bruins feel he still needs more experience in Providence, the team now has the choice (unlike last 12 months) to send him to the AHL to work on his skills and construct his confidence against weaker opponents.

If Poitras struggles a bit early on, giving him 10 to fifteen games in the primary line and lots of power play in Providence is an excellent option to get him back on course.

Another promising player trying to carve out a job for himself within the NHL is Georgii Merkulov, who could also compete for the 3C spot. His age (he turns 24 on October 10) and established performance in Providence (65 points in 67 games) make him an asset, as he appears to have already made probably the most of his time within the AHL.

Tyler Johnson – a natural midfielder – is the following man in line for some minutes in the center, while Montgomery can even turn to Geekie or Frederic to take over the centre position if needed.

Fourth line

Montgomery and Co. shouldn’t have any shortage of options relating to forming a nimble but physical fourth line.

Max Jones, Mark Kastelic and Johnny Beecher would make a robust checking unit trio, especially since each Kastelic and Beecher excel on faceoffs. Justin Brazeau could also get a likelihood on that line, although it may well be argued that if he impresses during practice, he should compete more for minutes on the third line.

As with any training camp, the Bruins can have to organize for a number of young players attempting to get some NHL minutes. Woburn's Riley Duran is anticipated to be a future starter on the fourth line in the end.

Reshuffle of the D Corps

On paper, the Bruins' six-man formation on the blue line appears to be set with Charlie McAvoy, Zadorov, Hampus Lindholm, Brandon Carlo, Mason Lohrei and Andrew Peeke.

It stays to be seen how exactly Montgomery and his team organize this six-man unit, with Zadorov offering plenty of pleasure as a physical (and puck-moving) addition to the highest pairing alongside McAvoy. If Zadorov doesn't gel with McAvoy, Boston's D-corps could face a more drastic shakeup that might split the Lindholm-Carlo pairing.

Zadorov's presence higher up the order gives Boston the luxurious of slowly integrating Lohrei right into a full-time NHL role on the third pair of defense while also allowing him playing time on the second power play unit.

But Lohrei doesn’t enter training camp expecting to be given playing time.

“It's never easy,” Lohrei said last month. “You always have to work for it, you have to earn it. So it's a new year and of course you go to training camp – I don't even know how many defensemen come to training camp. But everyone wants to make the team, right?”

“So I have to show up and just do my best to play and do what I do. It's only year two. So I'm excited and just want to go out there and prove what I can do and I plan to keep improving.”

Both Lohrei and Peeke had impressive performances in Boston's second-round exit to the Panthers in May, but Parker Wotherspoon may also look to pressure each players to earn regular playing time.

San Jose began clearing a part of one among its largest and most dangerous homeless encampments on Tuesday, moving about 40 tents, vehicles and makeshift shelters out of the flight path of San Jose Mineta International Airport.

In recent years, authorities have repeatedly evicted homeless people from the Columbus Park area in downtown San Jose, but with a scarcity of emergency shelters or overnight parking, the town has been unable to search out a everlasting solution.

City officials said they were clearing the two-block area on the north side of Asbury Street on the direction of the Federal Aviation Administration. The concern, officials said, is that smoke from campfires could obscure pilots' visibility and that birds drawn to the trash within the camp could fly into the engines of planes landing on the airport.

Before the eviction, the town said it had worked with its nonprofit service provider, HomeFirst, to supply housing to anyone who could be forcibly faraway from the camp. However, officials couldn’t say how many individuals had accepted the offer. It was unclear where those remaining within the camp might find yourself next.

The move to clear the camp got here after San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan urged the town to crack down on the encampments while also organising small emergency shelters, secure parking and approved camping sites for the roughly 6,300 homeless people.

In a press release, Mahan said dismantling a part of the encampment in Columbus Park was obligatory to make sure the protection of residents. The city didn’t have an estimate of how many individuals will should be relocated or what number of will remain within the encampment overall.

“There are certain cases where a warehouse is so unsafe and violates so many laws that we cannot wait until our solutions are scalable,” Mahan said.

Camp residents say drug use and the usage of firearms are commonplace on the premises, which apparently houses about 100 people. In February, two people were charged in reference to a fight that resulted in a fatal stabbing on the camp.

On Tuesday afternoon, yellow police tape cordoned off a part of the camp while work crews filled green dumpsters with trash and debris. A handful of social staff offered food and water to camp residents. Local authorities had not ordered anyone to depart the realm, although some residents had driven their RVs and vans onto a cross street that was not scheduled to be cleared. Officials said most vehicles had voluntarily left the sweeping area throughout the day.

A resident of the camp who said her name was Raelene sat outside her sun-bleached RV, clutching a dark glass pipe and a red Bic lighter. After authorities taped a cease-and-desist order dated Aug. 29 to the side of her RV, she and her boyfriend at the moment are considering moving to Merced, where she has family.

She said she was uninterested in the shooting and “thefts” within the camp. “Not tasty, not my favorite,” she said.

Raelene, who said she couldn't remember her last name, wasn't sure if officers had offered her a bed within the shelter or a secure place to park. Homeless people sometimes turn down shelter for a wide range of personal reasons, from health and safety concerns to an unwillingness to obey curfews.

The raid follows Gov. Gavin Newsom's executive order last month directing state agencies to work with cities to shut encampments, then threatening to chop funding to local governments that fail to get more people off the streets. In June, a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling gave cities broad authority to clear encampments without first offering homeless people shelter.

Another camp resident, who calls himself Termite, said he has been evicted from the realm about five times since becoming homeless seven years ago. He said the eviction of the camp might be traumatic for homeless people, as their vehicles are sometimes towed or their belongings thrown out. He added that there is usually a rise in violence within the camps after evictions.

“It just lowers morale,” he said, “and it causes a lot of friction between people.”

Originally published: September 3, 2024 at 3:52 pm

Patriots

The Patriots The penultimate training session before the season finale on Sunday was mostly a session in shorts and tops.

New England spent considerable time preparing for Washington, with the first-team defense facing the scout team offense.

Drake Maye and Jacoby Brissett made impression for probably the most part. Bailey Zappe was used more often within the role of quarterback on the scout team than he has in a protracted time.

As injuries proceed to mount on the offensive line, the Patriots have assembled a brand new offensive line.

Here are five insights from the campaign.

Since Lowe is out, Onwenu takes over the tackle task

Vederian Lowe, who had to depart training early on Wednesday attributable to an injury, stood on the sidelines wearing a jersey but without protective equipment.

The injury is a minor oblique injury and isn’t expected to be a long-term problem, said Chris Price.

With Lowe out, the Patriots moved Chukwuma Okorafor from right tackle to left tackle. Mike Onwenu moved from guard to right tackle. Rookie guard Layden Robinson, who had been competing with Sidy Sow for the opposite guard position, was on the sphere with the starters alongside Sow on Thursday. David Andrews remained at center.

Lots of labor for Bailey Zappe as scout team QB

While the Patriots prepared for the Commanders, the Patriots' scout team offense was led by Bailey Zappe.

He did well in team drills, where he didn't play at full speed at times. He didn't lose the ball and distributed the ball quickly.

It was a better day for Drake Maye and Jacoby Brissett, who’re battling for the starting job. Both quarterbacks performed well despite the reduced tempo and phone, completing the overwhelming majority of their throws.

Maye caught in two-minute exercise

Maye made the one interception of the day.

His pass was deflected by defender Dell Pettus and defender Tristen Hill caught the pass and secured the ball.

The defensive players, especially the linebackers, were enthusiastic about Hill's play and it was an lively end to practice.

“I was happy, man. I couldn't believe it either,” said defensive player Daniel Ekuale. “We call him Full Speed. Every time he comes out, he's explosive. I like his energy, he just does everything full speed.”

Alex Van Pelt praises Tyquan Thornton

Tyquan Thornton, Ja'Lynn Polk and Demario Douglas appeared to be probably the most used receivers on the highest unit.

The coaching staff appears to be making an emphasis on the receiver group being faster on the sphere than last yr, and Thornton seems to suit that idea.

“His ability to stand out is special,” said offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt. “His speed down the field, his ability to escape coverage and man coverage, all of those things. And he's been really tough at the catch point this year. So he's getting stronger and stronger in that regard. I hope to see him shine here in the next game.”

Thornton, a second-round pick in 2022, has yet to rush for greater than 250 yards in a season and has scored just two touchdowns in two seasons. His first two seasons were marred by injuries. He has been more robust thus far this summer, but he still has loads to prove.

“I definitely feel more confident, I'm just working on my routine,” Thornton said. “I'm just working on myself in the offseason, on all the little things I need to get better at and building on my strengths even more.”

Living on the sting

With Matthew Judon gone, the Patriots are counting on several players to fill his role as edge rusher.

So far, the outcomes have been solid, said linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley.

“Obviously our guys have to step up. Anfernee Jennings, Keion White and Josh Uche are all eager to step up to those roles,” Bentley said. “Obviously they're not trying to be Matt in any way, but they're doing a solid job. They just have to keep doing what they're doing because they're on the right track.”

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.The Kennedy campaign has reached out to Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign to establish a gathering and discuss a possible role in her administration if he drops out of the race and endorses her, a Kennedy campaign official and a Democratic official told CNN.

Kennedy's team had already contacted him last week, but no meeting between the 2 candidates had taken place, a Kennedy campaign official told CNN.

This meeting got here just a few weeks after Kennedy and former President Donald Trump met in person through the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where the 2 discussed a possible role for Kennedy in a possible Trump administration in exchange for an endorsement.

The Kennedy campaign also tried to contact intermediaries for Ron Klain, former White House chief of staff under President Joe Biden, but those efforts were unsuccessful, the Kennedy campaign official said.

While Kennedy continues to make progress on ballot access, organizing campaign events and making media appearances, the campaign official told CNN that he stays willing to drop out of the race if he believes he can serve the country in one other way.

Kennedy campaign spokeswoman Stefanie Spear told CNN that Kennedy was “ready to meet with leaders of both parties to discuss the possibility of a unity government.”

CNN has asked Harris' team for comment.

The WashingtonPost was the primary to report on the motion.

Democrats have been fiercely opposing Kennedy's campaign because the starting of the 12 months, using ads to call Kennedy a “spoiler” and pointing to his ties to major Republican donor Timothy Mellon, who supported each an out of doors Kennedy and Trump group. The Democratic National Committee and an excellent PAC run by Democratic allies have challenged Kennedy's eligibility in several states.

“No one has any intention of negotiating with a MAGA-funded fringe candidate who applied for a job with Donald Trump in exchange for an endorsement,” DNC spokesman Matt Corridoni said in a press release to CNN on Wednesday.

SACRAMENTO – California Governor Gavin Newsom had a message for local governments Thursday: Clean up homeless camps now or lose federal grants next yr.

Speaking outside a cleared homeless encampment in Los Angeles, Newsom vowed that he would cut state funding to cities and counties that don't do enough to maneuver people from their encampments into homeless shelters. The governor joined the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) on Thursday in clearing several encampments in the realm.

“I want to see results,” Newsom told reporters at a press conference. “I don't want to read about it. I don't want to see the data. I want to see it.”

Thursday's announcement was a part of Newsom's escalating campaign to pressure local governments to do more homeless encampment clearances. Newsom had ordered state agencies last month to start clearing encampments on state lands. He also put pressure on local governments to do the identical, although he cannot legally force them to achieve this.

The order got here after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a lower court ruling that said governments cannot force people to depart their encampments if no shelter is accessible. Newsom's administration backed up the cities' arguments with a letter saying that previous rulings, including one which barred San Francisco from clearing encampments, had prevented the state from addressing a critical problem.

About a 3rd of the country's homeless live in California, an issue that has dogged Newsom since he took office. Across the state, 1000’s of tents and makeshift shelters line highways and fill parking lots and public parks.

The state has spent about $24 billion under Newsom's leadership to scrub up streets and house people. That includes at the very least $3.2 billion in grants to local governments to construct shelters, clear encampments and supply services to the homeless as they see fit, Newsom said.

These are unprecedented investments by the state, he added, but his government will begin redirecting these funds in January.

“This is not about criminalization,” Newsom said. “What is criminal is neglecting people who are fighting, suffering and dying on our watch.”

The mayor of San Francisco has taken a more aggressive approach to clearing the camps.

Others, including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and LA County officials, have pushed back, saying the governor's approach won't work. Newsom on Thursday praised Bass' work in successfully reducing the number of individuals sleeping rough in Los Angeles, but added that his frustration is generally directed on the counties.

The California State Association of Counties, which represents 58 counties in California, said it could not comment on the governor's announcement Thursday. A spokesperson as an alternative referred to a press release in response to Newsom's order last month that counties “will continue to work with the governor and share his sense of urgency.”

Patriots

Patriots Coach Jerod Mayo said Tuesday that each one Patriots players have reported to training camp, including two veteran defenders who’ve expressed dissatisfaction with their current contracts.

Both linebackers Matthew Judon and defensive players Of which Godchaux are entering the ultimate 12 months of their respective contracts and are on the lookout for negotiations.

“Look, the relationship is still good, at least from my perspective,” Mayo said. “I know their teammates definitely respect them. They are valuable parts of this organization and they have done a lot for us. Hopefully we can get something done and those guys are here. I want them here, Eliot [Wolf] wants her here, the team wants her here. But there is a business aspect to everything.”

Judon, a four-time Pro Bowler who was slowed by injuries last season, is already the highest-paid player on the Patriots' roster with a salary cap hit of $14,654,848 for next season. in response to Spotrac.

Despite missing all but 4 games last season, Judon has recorded the identical variety of sacks (32) as Jacksonville’s Joshua Hines-Allen within the last three seasons.

Hinds-Allen signed a 5-year contract price $150 million This means he’ll earn about double what Judon earns annually this offseason.

Of course, there's a giant difference between evaluating a 26-year-old pass rusher at his best and one who turns 32 in August and is fresh off a serious injury, but their performances haven't been far apart lately.

How durable Judon will probably be this season and beyond stays to be seen. Last season was the one time in his profession he missed greater than three games in a daily season. He played all 17 games in 2021 and 2022 before his injury sidelined him in 2023.

Godchaux, 29, made 56 tackles last season and commenced all 17 games for a Patriots defense that limited runners to an NFL-best 3.3 yards per carry last season. His $11.8 million salary cap hit is the third-highest on the Patriots behind Judon and cornerback Jonathan Jones.

Last month, Godchaux posted a message on the social media platform X However, he desires to stay in New England long-term, but needs a contract that makes financial sense for him.

“Hopefully we can work something out that is fair to me and my team before camp starts!” Godchaux posted. “I love NE, I would love to retire here but it has to make sense for us! What I do most of my time on the football field in the trenches is not on the stat sheet but turn on the film and you will see it when you have the ball! I would love to finish my career here in NE but it has to make sense for me and my team!”

Mayo said the Patriots would do “everything possible” to maintain Godchaux and Judon. Keeping them could be good for the organization, Mayo said.

Neither player has negotiated a brand new contract with the team, but each have reported to training camp. Mayo said he expects them to take part in practice.

“When you're here, you're always expected to go out and train and compete. That's what it's all about,” he said.

Patriots

Patriots training camp starts next week and there are numerous questions surrounding the team entering the primary 12 months of the Jerod Mayo era.

It is the primary time in nearly 1 / 4 of a century that Bill Belichick isn’t guarding the Patriots' sidelines.

New England is within the early stages of a rebuild with a brand new coach, a brand new quarterback and a newfound determination to pay its homegrown talent.

Perhaps the most important query of all is: How quickly will the Patriots have the ability to show around certainly one of the NFL's weakest offenses and rating enough points to win games?

There will likely be position battles, contract negotiations, rising stars, and perhaps even just a few surprise firings. There will definitely be plenty of pleasure as New England searches for the brand new Patriot Way.

Here are the ten key questions facing the Patriots before training camp.

Who will likely be the left tackle?

Whether it's Drake Maye, Jacoby Brissett, and even Bailey Zappe under center, the Patriots have to work out who will likely be liable for protecting the quarterback's blind side.

Trent Brown is gone after signing a one-year cope with the Bengals, who the Patriots will face of their opening game of the regular season.

The most suitable choice to interchange Brown appears to be Chukwuma Okorafor, the Patriots' executive vice chairman of player personnel. said Eliot Wolf in April. The 6-foot-6, 315-pound Okorafor began 59 games for the Steelers over six seasons, primarily for granted tackle, but was cut from the roster after rookie Broderick Jones emerged because the starter.

The Patriots also drafted a tackle, Caeden Wallace, within the third round. Sidy Sow began 13 games at guard as a rookie last 12 months, so it's not out of the query that Wallace could are available and compete for enjoying time. But it stays to be seen how his game translates to the subsequent level.

Calvin Anderson played in two games last season and missed the remaining of the 12 months as a consequence of malaria. He says he’s fully healthy and able to compete this season. Vederian Lowe, who began eight games last 12 months, also returns.

Is Drake Maye able to be the guy?

Mayo said back in April that his legacy will likely be tied to the player the Patriots select No. 3 within the draft. That player is quarterback Drake Maye.

At 1.93 m and 102 kgMaye has size, athleticism and a powerful arm, all things the Patriots lacked on the quarterback position last 12 months. There are also questions on whether his footwork and accuracy are sufficient for this level.

Maye can have the chance to compete this summer, but offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt already knows Jacoby Brissett, who began 11 games for the Browns in 2022.

Will the Patriots let Maye play or will Brissett stay? This is a giant decision for the brand new coaching staff.

What will Christian Gonzalez appear like?

Gonzalez's rookie season was promising but short-lived.

In 4 games, he recorded 17 tackles, one sack and one interception before missing the remaining of the season as a consequence of a torn labrum.

Gonzalez said in May that he was healthy and able to play, meaning training camp will likely be a possibility to see what he looks like firstly of his sophomore season.

Full contact with pads is difficult to copy, and Gonzalez's last game was last October. If he picks up where he left off last 12 months, he'll be a key a part of the secondary.

How will Matthew Judon’s contract situation develop?

Judon, who has participated in 4 of the last five Pro Bowls, has one 12 months left on his contract.

The Patriots restructured his contract last season, increasing his guaranteed salary from $2 million to $14 million, but Judon only played in 4 games last season after a torn bicep sidelined him.

According to Spotrac, Judon's salary cap hit for the upcoming season is $14.6 million, which incorporates a $6.8 million signing bonus, $6.5 million base salary, $1.1 million from the reorganization agreement and a $235,000 roster bonus.

Judon's salary cap is the very best on the Patriots, but in accordance with Spotrac, he ranks sixteenth amongst edge rushers. There are 10 edge rushers with salary cap numbers over $20 million this season.

Greg Bedard of the Boston Sports Journal reported that Judon won’t play for the Patriots under his current contract. However, Judon said in a recent episode of Felger and Mazz say they need to leave things to their agents and Patriots management.

Another soccer competition?

Chad Ryland had a terrific moment on Christmas Eve when he beat the Broncos with a 56-yard field goal.

However, he struggled in his rookie season, converting only 16 of his 25 field goal attempts. He made 24 of 25 extra points and made nine of his 11 field goal attempts under 40 yards, but he also missed half of his attempts over 40 yards, raising questions on his future with the Patriots.

For that job, New England has hired Joey Slye, who made 19 of 24 field goals last 12 months, including 10 of 14 from 40 yards or more.

NEW YORK – Pro-Palestinian protesters who were blocked by police from entering a camp on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on Monday broke through remaining fences there, armed themselves with weapons and surrounded tents as Columbia University held its university-wide commencement ceremony in canceled pro-Palestinian protests in the next weeks.

Sam Ihns, an MIT graduate student studying mechanical engineering and a member of MIT Jews for a Ceasefire, said the group has been within the camp for 2 weeks and has called for an end to the killing of 1000’s of individuals in Gaza.

“Specifically, our camp protests MIT’s direct research relationships with the Israeli Ministry of Defense,” he said.

Protesters also sat in the midst of Massachusetts Avenue, blocking the road during rush hour within the Boston area.

The demonstrations at Columbia have rocked the campus, and officials said Monday that while the most important ceremony is not going to happen, students will give you the chance to have fun at a series of smaller, school-based ceremonies this week and next.

The decision comes as universities across the country battle over the best way to handle freshmen for college students whose highschool graduations in 2020 were derailed by COVID-19. Another campus rocked by protests, Emory University, announced Monday that it could move its commencement program from its Atlanta campus to a suburban arena. Others, including the University of Michigan, Indiana University and Northeastern, have held the ceremonies without much disruption.

Colombia's decision to cancel its most important ceremonies scheduled for May 15 spares its President Minouche Shafik the necessity to offer a commencement speech in the identical a part of campus where police broke up a protest camp last week. The Ivy League school in Upper Manhattan said it made the choice after discussions with students.

“Our students emphasized that these smaller school-based celebrations are most meaningful to them and their families,” officials said.

Most ceremonies planned for the south lawn of the most important campus, where encampments were demolished last week, might be held about 5 miles (8 kilometers) north on the Columbia Sports Complex, officials said.

Speakers at a few of Columbia's upcoming graduation ceremonies include Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright James Ijames and Dr. Monica Bertagnolli, Director of the National Institutes of Health.

Columbia had already canceled in-person classes. In recent weeks, greater than 200 pro-Palestinian protesters have been arrested camping on Columbia's green spaces or occupying an instructional constructing.

Similar camps emerged elsewhere as universities struggled to attract the road between allowing free expression and maintaining protected and inclusive campuses.

The University of Southern California previously canceled its most important graduation ceremony. Students left their camp at USC on Sunday after being surrounded by police and threatened with arrest.
Other universities have held graduation ceremonies under increased security. The University of Michigan ceremony was punctuated by several chants on Saturday. In Boston, some students waved small Palestinian or Israeli flags at Northeastern University's graduation ceremony in Fenway Park on Sunday.

Emory's ceremonies, scheduled for May 13, might be held on the GasSouth Arena and Convocation Center in Duluth, nearly 20 miles (30 kilometers) northeast of the university's Atlanta campus, President Gregory Fenves said in an open letter.

“Please know that this decision was not made lightly,” Fenves wrote. “It was created in close consultation with the Emory Police Department, security consultants and other authorities – each of whom advised against holding commencement events on our campus.”

The 16,000-student university is one in every of many who has seen repeated protests stemming from the conflict that began on Oct. 7 when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians took around 250 hostages. Student protesters are calling on their schools to divest from firms that do business with Israel or otherwise contribute to the war effort.

Promising to destroy Hamas, Israel launched an offensive within the Gaza Strip that killed greater than 34,500 Palestinians within the Hamas-controlled area, about two-thirds of them women and youngsters, in response to the Health Ministry. Israeli attacks have devastated the enclave and displaced most of its residents.

Hamas announced on Monday that it was accepting an Egyptian-Qatari ceasefire proposal, but Israel said the deal didn’t meet its “core demands” and that it was pushing ahead with an attack on the southern Gaza town of Rafah.

“Ceasefires are temporary,” said Selina Al-Shihabi, a sophomore at Georgetown University who attended a protest in George Washington. “There may be a ceasefire, but the US government will continue to arm the Israeli military. We plan to stay here until the university splits up or until they drag us out of here.”

At the University of California, San Diego, police cleared an encampment and arrested greater than 64 people, including 40 students.

Due to ongoing disruption following the dismantling of a warehouse last week, the University of California, Los Angeles has moved all classes online all week. University police reported 44 arrests but didn’t provide specific details, UCLA spokesman Eddie North-Hager said in an email to The Associated Press.

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago said in a Facebook post Sunday that it had offered protesters “amnesty from academic sanctions and trespassing charges” in the event that they moved.

“Many protesters left the premises of their own accord after police informed them they were trespassing and threatened arrest,” the college said. “Those who remained were arrested after multiple requests to leave, including some we recognized as SAIC students.”

A bunch of school and staff on the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill called on the administration to grant amnesty to all students arrested and suspended during recent protests. The UNC Justice in Palestine faculty and staff said in a media release that they might deliver a letter on behalf of greater than 500 faculty supporting the coed activists.
Other universities took a unique approach.

Harvard University Interim President Alan Garber warned students that those that attend a pro-Palestinian camp in Harvard Yard could face “involuntary furlough.” That means they won't be allowed on campus, could lose their student housing and should not give you the chance to take exams, Garber said.

LeBlanc reported from Cambridge, Massachusetts. Associated Press writers Jeff Amy in Atlanta and Christopher Weber in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

NEW YORK (AP) — Clashes broke out between protesters and police on the University of Texas on Monday, resulting in dozens of arrests, and Columbia University began issuing suspensions as colleges across the U.S. implored pro-Palestinian protesters to depart their encampments to vacate before the opening ceremonies approached.

Protesters from coast to coast are arguing over the war between Israel and Hamas and the rising death toll, and the variety of arrests at universities across the country is nearing 1,000 at the tip of the ultimate days of classes. The outcry is forcing colleges to reckon with their financial ties to Israel and their support of free speech.

Protests have even spread to Europe, with French police expelling dozens of scholars from Sorbonne University after pro-Palestinian protesters occupied the essential courtyard. In Canada, student protest camps have sprung up on the University of Ottawa, McGill University in Montreal and the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, The Canadian Press reported.

At the University of Texas at Austin, a lawyer said not less than 40 protesters were arrested Monday, a few of them by officers in riot gear who surrounded about 100 seated demonstrators and carried them away one after the other, screaming. Another group of protesters trapped police and a van stuffed with detainees between buildings, making a mass of pushing and shoving bodies and prompting officers to make use of pepper spray and flash guns to clear the gang.

The confrontation led to an escalation on the 50,000-student campus within the state capital. On social media, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott reposted a video of the arrival of state troops and said, “No encampments will be allowed.” Just last week, tons of of law enforcement officials descended on demonstrators outside the university and arrested greater than 50 people.

The Texas protest and others grew out of early demonstrations in Colombia that proceed to at the present time. On Monday, Columbia University student activists left a camp of about 120 tents on the college's Manhattan campus despite a 2 p.m. deadline. Instead, tons of of protesters marched across the courtyard, clapping, shouting and weaving around piles of makeshift flooring and green carpet intended for graduation ceremonies set to start next week.

A handful of counter-protesters waved Israeli flags and one held an indication that read, “Where are the anti-Hamas chants?”

The university didn’t call the police to disperse the protesters. But three hours after the deadline, school spokesman Ben Chang said Columbia had begun suspending students. He didn’t say what number of students were involved. He also didn’t say how the suspensions can be carried out or whether suspended students can be expelled from campus.

Chang said that while the university values ​​students' right to freedom of expression, the camp is a “noisy distraction” that interferes with teaching and preparation for final exams. The protests also made some Jewish students very uncomfortable, he said.

Protest organizers said they weren’t aware of any suspensions as of Monday evening.

The notice sent to protesters earlier Monday said they might finish the semester in good standing in the event that they left on time and signed a form agreeing to comply with university policies through June 2025. If not, the letter said, they’d be suspended pending further investigation.

College classes are winding down for the semester and campuses are preparing for graduation ceremonies, giving schools extra incentive to filter out encampments. The University of Southern California has canceled its essential graduation ceremony.

But students lagged behind at other top universities, and stalemate continued at Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, Yale and others.

Protesters in Yale arrange a brand new encampment with dozens of tents on Sunday, nearly every week after police arrested nearly 50 and cleared the same one nearby. They were informed by a Yale official that they’d face disciplinary motion, as much as and including suspension and possible arrest, in the event that they continued.

Yale said in an announcement Monday that while it supports peaceful protests and freedom of expression, it doesn’t tolerate policy violations just like the encampment. School officials said the protest is happening near residential colleges where many students are studying for final exams, and that groups have to be granted permission to carry events and construct structures on campus.

In a rare move, Northwestern University said it had reached an agreement with students and school who represent nearly all of protesters on its Chicago-area campus. It allows peaceful demonstrations through the tip of spring classes on June 1, requires the removal of all but one tents to supply assistance, and limits the demonstration area to students, faculty and staff access only unless the university approves otherwise.

At Brown University in Rhode Island, school president Christina H. Paxton offered protest leaders the chance to satisfy with officials to debate their case for divesting from Israel-affiliated businesses in exchange for ending a camp.

In the letter to student protesters in Columbia, school officials noted that exams were starting and graduation was approaching.

“We urge you to disband the camp so that we do not deprive your fellow students, their families and friends of this momentous event,” the letter said.

The demonstrations have prompted Columbia to carry distant classes. In an email to students, the college said bringing police back “at this time” can be counterproductive. The university said it will offer another venue for the protests after exams and graduation.

Colombia's handling of the protests has led to federal complaints.

Meanwhile, a rights group representing pro-Palestinian students is looking on the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights to research Columbia's compliance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 over the way in which they were treated.

A university spokesman declined to comment on the complaints.

The fate of the arrested students has grow to be a central theme of the protests, with students and a growing number of school demanding amnesty for the demonstrators. At issue is whether or not the suspensions and legal records will follow students throughout their adult lives.

Protesters on other campuses, meanwhile, said they’d stand firm. Jacob Ginn, a second-year sociology student on the University of North Carolina, said he protested on the camp for 4 days, including negotiations with administration on Friday.

“We are prepared for anything and will remain here until the university meets our demands, and we will remain steadfast and strong in the face of any brutality and repression they attempt to attack us with,” Ginn said, referring to a possible police raid of the camp.

Local News

Police broke up a pro-Palestinian camp at Northeastern University on Saturday morning and arrested about 100 protesters. This is the second instance this week of law enforcement breaking up a student camp in Boston.

“This morning, the Northeastern University Police Department (NUPD) – in collaboration with local law enforcement partners – began clearing an unauthorized encampment on the university’s Boston campus,” the university said in an announcement around 8 a.m. Saturday morning.

The protesters arrange the encampment on the college's Centennial Common on Thursday, joining students from several Boston-area colleges and dozens of others across the U.S. who’ve arrange tents and staged protests in recent days after about 100 people camped out at an identical encampment had been arrested at Columbia University. The students are demanding that their schools cut ties with Israeli corporations and the military and are calling for a ceasefire within the Israel-Hamas war.

Police arrested about 100 people, Northeastern said. Anyone arrested who was in a position to produce a legitimate Northeastern ID was released, the college said.

“They face disciplinary action within the university, not legal action. Those who refused to reveal their affiliation were arrested,” the university said in an announcement.

Massachusetts State Police said they participated in clearing the encampment after NUPD requested assistance.

“State Police deployed Troop H and Special Emergency Response Team personnel to the university campus. Officers directed protesters to disperse, and MSP members helped remove protesters who refused to leave,” Dave Procopio, director of media communications for the Massachusetts State Police, said in an announcement.

“The State Police is committed to safely protecting the lawful exercise of the right to assemble and freedom of expression and to protecting the safety and property of all involved,” Procopio wrote.

footage posted by sNortheastern's student-run newspaper showed Saturday morning law enforcement officials, some in riot gear, using cable ties to tie up protesters and lead them into a close-by campus constructing, then transporting those arrested in vans.

Early Thursday, police arrested greater than 100 people at an encampment arrange by Emerson College students on a sidewalk next to the college's downtown campus.

The dispersal of the Northeast camp implies that the Boston area currently has pro-Palestinian student camps at Harvard, MIT and Tufts.

Controversy over anti-Semitic language

In an announcement released Saturday morning, Northeastern said outside agitators had joined the protest and pointed to using anti-Semitic language on campus, suggesting it was a consider the choice to disband the encampment.

“What began as a student demonstration two days ago was infiltrated by professional organizers unaffiliated with Northeastern,” the university said in an announcement opinion. “Last night the use of vicious anti-Semitic slurs, including “kill the Jews,” crossed the road. We cannot tolerate this sort of hate on our campus.”

Camp organizers claimed that almost all pro-Palestinian protesters on campus were students and that no camp member had engaged in anti-Semitism, saying on social media that “anti-Semitic statements at Northeastern were shouted by Zionist counter-protesters.”

“The camp organizers responded to the provocation with boos and demanded that the Zionist provocateurs leave,” said the scholar group Huskies for a Free Palestine posted on Instagram. “Northeastern: Take back the slander, release, expose and divest the students and workers you arrested!”

In an announcement to Boston.com Saturday afternoon, a university spokesperson did in a roundabout way address the claim that the anti-Semitic comments got here from counter-protesters.

“The fact that the phrase 'Kill the Jews' was chanted on our campus is undisputed. The Boston Globe, a trusted news organization, reported this as fact. There is also extensive video evidence. Any suggestion that disgusting anti-Semitic comments are sometimes acceptable depending on the context is reprehensible. This language has no place on any university campus,” said Renata Nyul, the college’s vp of communications.

Reporting by the referenced using the phrase “kill the Jews,” but didn’t specify whether the statement got here from a protester or counter-protester.

videos posted on social media on Friday evening appear to indicate a counter-protester holding an Israeli flag directly in front of the camp and chanting “Kill the Jews.” Several protesters responded by booing and shouting, “We’ll let them go.”

This is a video of the incident I discussed, provided by an organizer with Huskies For A Free Palestine/HFP.NEU

The student within the green and blue sweatshirt with the Israeli flag is a counter-demonstrator pic.twitter.com/2KnUuFAkam

— Tori Bedford (@Tori_Bedford) April 27, 2024