Pro-Palestine Demonstrations Persist on US Campuses; Multiple Student Arrests Made
Protests in support of Palestine have continued to escalate across universities in the United States, with Columbia University in New York becoming a focal point of demonstrations. The unrest began on April 18 and has seen students taking a stand against the Israeli attacks in Gaza.
At Columbia University, students decided to occupy Hamilton Hall, drawing parallels to the anti-Vietnam War protests that took place in the same building years ago. Dubbing the occupied building “Hind’s Hall” in memory of 6-year-old Hind Rajab who lost her life in the Israeli attack, students barricaded themselves using furniture and metal pieces they could find.
However, their actions were met with strong opposition from university officials and law enforcement. Columbia University Spokesperson Ben Chang condemned the students’ occupation of Hamilton Hall, stating that they were committing a crime by damaging property and obstructing access to the building. Chang also warned that students risked expulsion if they continued to participate in the protests.
The situation garnered attention from US National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby, who relayed President Joe Biden’s disapproval of the students’ actions. Biden deemed the occupation of an academic building as an inappropriate and non-peaceful form of protest.
In response to the escalating tensions, the New York Police Department dispatched officers to intervene and control the situation at Columbia University. Amateur footage captured the moment police tried to enter Hamilton Hall, leading to the detention of numerous students.
The protests have not been limited to Columbia University, as they have spread to other universities across the country. More than a thousand students and academics have been detained for their involvement in setting up camps and demanding an end to Israeli attacks, as well as urging universities to sever ties with companies selling weapons to Israel.
As the demonstrations continue to unfold, the debate surrounding the right to protest versus disruptive behavior persists, highlighting the complex intersection of politics, activism, and academic freedom on university campuses in the United States.
