A wave of pro-Palestinian protests has surged across major US universities, leading to the arrests of hundreds of demonstrators. The protests, which began at Columbia University in New York, have spread to campuses nationwide, with students demanding their schools cut ties with Israeli academic institutions and disinvest from entities connected to Israel.
At Columbia University, where the protests originated, students have vowed not to disperse until the school meets their demands. Similar protests with parallel demands have emerged at other universities, including Brown University, Emory University, and Indiana University.
The protests have brought together students from diverse backgrounds, including Palestinians, Arabs, Jews, and Muslims, to condemn Israel’s actions in Gaza. However, the demonstrations have also sparked tensions, with reports of antisemitic rhetoric at some protests.
University administrations are grappling with how to respond to the protests, with some schools calling the police to disperse demonstrators. At Brown University, about 130 students have been identified for violating a school conduct code that prohibits encampments on campus.
The protests have gained national attention, prompting discussions about free speech on campus and the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As tensions continue to escalate, universities are faced with the challenge of balancing the rights of protesters with maintaining campus safety and order.