It’s been a tumultuous week for Ohio State University and colleges around the nation as they grapple with a wave of student protests over schools’ investments in Israel.

Demonstrators across the nation are protesting the civilian toll in Gaza, where more than 34,000 people have died since the Israeli invasion that followed a Hamas-led attack that killed almost 1,200 people in Israel. Students oppose U.S. military aid to Israel and want their schools to stop investing endowment money in companies with Israeli links, USA Today reported.

Here’s what we know about student protests happening in Columbus.

36 arrested at anti-Israel protest Thursday night

Thirty-six people were arrested starting at 10:16 p.m. Thursday night as police surrounded the hundreds-strong protest on the Ohio Union in an effort to break it up. The protest started at 5 p.m. and went for nearly six hours before protestors began to dissipate.

No injuries were reported from the protests or arrests.

Three arrested, including student and faculty member, at anti-Israel protest Thursday afternoon

Earlier in the day Thursday, three people were arrested at a smaller pro-Palestine protest. One of those arrested was an Ohio State staff member, according to OSU spokesperson Ben Johnson.

Ohio State says it legally can’t divest from Israel

After Thursday’s protests, an OSU spokesperson said state law prevents the university from divesting from Israel. Here’s a rundown on the law and the history of divestment in Ohio.

What do OSU’s ‘space rules’ say about protesting?

Ohio State’s policies on the use of its public spaces prohibit overnight events, restrict noise at certain times, and require permission for demonstrations and setting up tents. It’s these policies that Thursday’s protesters are alleged to have violated.

Are university protests going to continue?

As Thursday night’s protest was broken up, protestors shouted at police that they would be back Friday. As of Friday afternoon, protesters had not returned to the Ohio Union, the site of Thursday’s protests.

NHart@dispatch.com

@PartofMyHart