In the middle of the Hamas-Israel crisis, US universities are taking up arms against the government and authorities. Students have converted campus space into a protest area in an effort to demand answers and put an end to the genocide in Gaza. However, what caused the abrupt increase even though the protests had been going on for weeks? The fire originated at Columbia University and has since spread to other campuses around the nation.
What triggered the sudden campus rebellion across US?
Recent actions by Columbia University to enlist the assistance of the New York Police Department in removing pro-Palestinian demonstrators from campus have sparked a wave of violent protests at universities around the country and in New York City. Following the arrest of 108 Columbia University protestors, among them Isra Hirsi, the daughter of Representative Ilhan Omar, events took place that drew attention and solidarity demonstrations from universities as far afield as the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Southern California, as well as from universities like New York University, Yale University, and the University of Illinois.
When and why did Columbia University protest begin?
The protests began on April 17, when Republican-led House Committee on Education and the Workforce questioned Columbia University President Nemat "Minouche" Shafik about anti-Semitic incidents on campus. Students like Columbia student Rachel joined the demonstrations as tensions were escalated by the police action to destroy the encampment. According to Rachel, Shafik's actions were the turning point since, before the events, students felt suppressed and censored. Nationwide resonance has been created by the pro-Palestinian demonstrations that demand divestment from Israeli corporations and show support for the Palestinian people.
Despite criticism from conservative politicians calling for a crackdown on protestors, organizers think the demonstrations have been successful in getting governments to think about divesting from Israel.
Columbia University students given 2-day deadline
Conversations between student groups and university authorities are continuing while the encampments at Columbia remain in place. The way Shafik handled the matter was condemned by Marianne Hirsch, an English professor at Columbia University: "squashing peaceful protest, squashing open debate, not allowing students to express their opinions and debate their opinions."
The larger problem of safety and free speech on college campuses has come to light as a result of the growing tensions. Itai Dreifuss and other Jewish students have described feeling intimidated and frightened by the protests, illuminating the nuanced dynamics at work. The involvement of university administration and the response from law enforcement are still being scrutinized as the protests continue and the discussion heats up. The incidents at Columbia University highlight the difficulties colleges have in resolving divisive political problems while maintaining the values of academic freedom and student safety.
