Over 2,000 Arrested in Pro-Palestinian Protests on US College Campuses

A wave of pro-Palestinian protests has swept across college campuses in the United States over the past three weeks, resulting in over 2,000 arrests. The demonstrations, marked by instances of violence and unrest, have seen at least 100 arrests made at eight campuses, including Columbia University, UCLA, and the University of Texas at Austin.

Why this matters: The protests highlight the growing tensions and divisions on US college campuses regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with implications for free speech, academic freedom, and the role of universities in political activism. The protests highlight the growing tensions and divisions on US college campuses regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with implications for free speech, academic freedom, and the role of universities in political activism. It will be vital to monitor how universities, law enforcement, and political leaders respond to the ongoing demonstrations and the complex issues they raise.

The protests began on April 17 when students at Columbia University created their first Gaza Solidarity Encampment on the college's lawn. Since then, the movement has rapidly spread to campuses nationwide, with protesters setting up tent encampments and calling on universities to stop doing business with Israel or companies they say support the war in Gaza.

The demonstrations have been met with a strong police response, resulting in chaotic scenes and mass arrests. At UCLA on Wednesday, police in riot gear ordered a large group of pro-Palestinian demonstrators to leave the area or face arrest after counter-protesters attacked a tent encampment the previous night. The police action came after the UCLA administration and campus police were criticized for their delayed response to the violence, which resulted in 15 injuries.

Police dismantled the fortified encampment at UCLA, detaining a handful of people and using flash bangs to disorient and stun protesters. Demonstrators held umbrellas like shields as they faced off with dozens of officers, chanting "where were you last night?" in reference to the police's delayed response to the previous night's violence.

Arrests have been made at 30 schools, with at least 38 instances since April 18. At Dartmouth College, police made 90 arrests and took down tents. In Oregon, officers came onto the Portland State University campus as school officials sought to end the occupation of the library that started Monday. And at Columbia University, New York police burst into a building occupied by anti-war protesters, breaking up a demonstration that had paralyzed the school.

The protests have drawn criticism from political leaders, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who denounced the delays in responding to the violence at UCLA. UCLA Chancellor Gene Block condemned the attack on the campus, promising a review of the night's events. Michael Drake, head of the University of California system, ordered an independent review of the university's response.

Israel has branded the protests as anti-Semitic, while critics argue that Israel uses these allegations to silence opposition. Some protesters have been caught on camera making anti-Semitic remarks or violent threats, but protest organizers, including Jewish individuals, call it a peaceful movement to defend Palestinian rights and protest the war.

"We are not an authoritarian nation where we silence people or squash dissent. But order must prevail," said President Joe Biden, defending the students' right to peaceful protest but decrying the disorder of recent days. He added, "There's the right to protest, but not the right to cause chaos."

According to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, 99% of the protests have remained peaceful. However, the Gaza health ministry has reported that more than 34,000 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel began its campaign to dismantle Hamas. The US has provided substantial military support to Israel, including a $15 billion aid package.

Protests continuing, legal aid attorneys are fighting to have protesters released, many of whom were only charged with minor offenses. Some universities, such as Brown University, have agreed to divestment votes in response to the protests. Student protests have also sprung up in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, underscoring the global impact of the conflict and thesolidarity movement.

The pro-Palestinian protests on US college campuses have ignited a fierce debate about free speech, academic freedom, and the role of universities in political activism. The movement's continued growth raises questions about how universities, law enforcement, and political leaders will respond to the ongoing demonstrations and the complex issues they raise.

Key Takeaways

• Over 2,000 arrests made at 30 US college campuses in pro-Palestinian protests.
• Protests demand universities stop doing business with Israel or companies supporting the war in Gaza.
• Police response has been strong, with chaotic scenes and mass arrests at several campuses.
• Critics accuse Israel of using anti-Semitism allegations to silence opposition, while some protesters make anti-Semitic remarks.
• Protests raise questions about free speech, academic freedom, and universities' role in political activism.