Sydney University Students Protest in Solidarity with U.S. Ivy League School Lockdowns

Students at Sydney University have staged a protest in solidarity with Ivy League school lockdowns in the United States, occupying the campus with tents in support of Palestine. The protest, which began on April 23, 2024, is part of a broader movement of student activism and solidarity with the Palestinian struggle for self-determination and human rights.

The protests at Sydney University are a response to the escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Similar protests have swept across college campuses in the U.S., with dozens of students being arrested at New York University, Yale, and Columbia University.

At Columbia University, over 100 students were arrested and suspended for setting up an encampment on the main lawn, demanding the school divest from Israel-related investments. The university president announced that classes would be held virtually on Monday to "deescalate the rancor." Similar developments occurred at Harvard, where the university yard was closed to the public, and the Harvard Undergraduate Palestine Solidarity Committee was suspended.

Why this matters: The protests highlight the deep divisions and tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on college campuses worldwide. The escalation of the conflict has led to a global movement in support of the Palestinian people, with students demanding their universities take action and divest from companies with ties to Israel.

The protests have pitted students against each other, with pro-Palestinian students demanding their schools condemn Israel's actions and divest from companies that sell weapons to Israel, while some Jewish students say the criticism of Israel has veered into antisemitism. Former President Donald Trump has blamed President Biden for the "disgrace" on college campuses, while Biden has condemned both the antisemitic protests and those who don't understand the situation with the Palestinians.

The USyd protest featured a speak-out led by student activists, who condemned the university's ties to weapons manufacturers and Israeli universities and called for divestment. Greens senator David Shoebridge and Palestine Action Group's Josh Lees spoke at the event, warning of a potential regional war and the ongoing genocide in Gaza. The protesters vowed to continue the encampment until the university divests from its partnerships with weapons manufacturers and Israeli institutions.

Key Takeaways

• Sydney Uni students protest in solidarity with US campus lockdowns over Gaza conflict.
• Similar protests swept US campuses, with dozens of students arrested at NYU, Yale, and Columbia.
• Protests highlight divisions over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with calls for university divestment.
• Protests pit pro-Palestinian students against some Jewish students, who claim antisemitism.
• Sydney protesters vow to continue encampment until the university divests from weapons, and Israeli ties.