Protesters March at NYU in Solidarity with Students Camping for Gaza, Fearing Police Crackdown

Protesters marched at New York University (NYU) on Thursday in support of students camping in solidarity with Gaza, amid fears of a potential police attack on the encampment. The demonstration, which took place at 116th and Broadway, drew around 50 outside protesters who chanted slogans and distributed signs.

The protest at NYU is part of a broader wave of student activism across American universities opposing Israeli aggression against Palestinians. Students have established solidarity camps, including at Columbia University, the epicenter of the protest movement, where the administration has given protesters a deadline to dismantle their encampment after previously attempting to forcefully clear the area with police.

Why this matters: The student-led protests against Israel's actions in Gaza have sparked a national debate over free speech on college campuses and the role of universities in political activism. The protests have had broad impacts, disrupting classes, graduation plans, and forcing a re-examination of universities' financial ties to Israel and Israeli companies.

Confrontations between police and student protesters have escalated, with authorities using violent tactics like electric stun guns and tear gas to disperse demonstrations at universities such as Emory and the University of Texas. Authorities have reportedly arrested around 550 individuals from prominent American universities for their involvement in the pro-Palestine protests.

During a general assembly held within the NYU encampment, organizers expressed distrust in the university's claims about the police threat and negotiations. They discussed training students on how to deal with potential violence and police tactics. The Barnard Student Government Association also released a statement condemning the increase in Islamophobia experienced by Muslim students on campus and calling for the administration to address these issues.

A group of New York state legislators, including Democratic socialist state senators and assembly members, released a statement in solidarity with the student protesters. They condemned the "violent repression and crackdown by university administrators and police against these student protesters, who are calling for an end to the ongoing genocide in Gaza and for their universities to divest from institutions that profit from Israeli apartheid and occupation."

The student protesters say they are part of a global movement to protest and fight against the "genocide" in Gaza, where the Palestinian death toll has surpassed 34,300. They remain committed to continuing their protests despite threats of being dismantled, demanding that universities divest from companies profiting from the Gaza war and pledge not to use police to break up the demonstrations. Noëlle McAfee, chair of the philosophy department at Emory University, described witnessing peaceful student protesters being "pummeled" by police during a violent crackdown on their encampment.

Key Takeaways

• Students across US universities protest in solidarity with Gaza amid fears of police attacks.
• Protests disrupt classes, graduation plans, and force re-examination of universities' ties to Israel.
• Confrontations between police and protesters escalate, with over 550 arrests reported.
• NY legislators condemn "violent repression" of student protesters by university authorities.
• Students demand universities divest from companies profiting from the Gaza war and not use police.