Pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University have inspired other encampments and demonstrations against the war in Gaza on campuses across the U.S. this week.

Driving the news: Hundreds of people were detained at protests at several colleges on Wednesday as universities cracked down on demonstrators, sparking First Amendment concerns.

The latest: Law enforcement arrested dozens at a demonstration at the University of Texas in Austin, including at least one journalist, according to multiple reports.

• More than 100 were arrested at Emerson College in Boston, according to reports.
• The Los Angeles Police Department detained almost 100 at the University of Southern California, the LA Times reported.

The big picture: U.S. colleges have become flashpoints for pro-Palestinian protests since the Israel-Hamas war began last October.

• It has stirred debates about free speech as officials raise concern about increasing reports of antisemitism and Islamophobia on campuses — prompting the Education Department to launch investigations.

Context: Some of the demonstrators are calling on colleges to divest from companies with ties to Israel's military efforts and to increase transparency about money received from Israel and what it's used for, according to AP.

• However, some states, like Texas, have passed laws prohibiting state state funds from going to companies or entities that boycott Israel.

Go deeper: Columbia University becomes a congressional pilgrimage

Editor's note: This story was updated with new developments and additional photos.