Anti-War Protests Erupt on U.S. College Campuses, Echoing 1968 Movement

A resurgence of the anti-war movement spirit from 1968 is sweeping across college campuses in the United States, as students protest the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The demonstrations, which began at Columbia University in New York, have ignited nationwide, leading to clashes with police and hundreds of arrests.

At Columbia, where over 100 protesters were arrested last week, students defiantly re-established their encampment after police cleared it. The university administration has given the students a deadline to dismantle the camp, with the president warning of "options for restoring calm to campus."

Similar scenes have unfolded at other universities, including the University of Southern California, where the main commencement ceremony was canceled due to safety concerns amid the protests. Scores of protesters were also arrested at USC and Emerson College in Boston.

The protesters are demanding that their schools cut financial ties to Israel and divest from companies they say are enabling the conflict in Gaza. Some Jewish students have reported feeling afraid to set foot on campus due to the protests, which have been accused of veering into antisemitism.

Why this matters: The nationwide protests highlight the deep divisions and tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on American college campuses. The demonstrations also raise questions about the balance between free speech and campus safety, as universities grapple with how to respond to the growing unrest.

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson has condemned the protests, proposing that the National Guard could be brought in if the demonstrations are not contained quickly. His remarks have evoked strong emotions due to the 1970 killing of unarmed students protesting the Vietnam War by National Guardsmen.

The White House has stated that President Biden believes in free speech, debate, and non-discrimination on college campuses. However, the president is not expected to visit any universities during his upcoming trip to New York.

Professor Rory Little of UC Law San Francisco notes that this year marks the 60th anniversary of the Free Speech Movement, which started at Berkeley and saw students protesting the Vietnam War. "The current protests evoke the spirit of the anti-Vietnam War movement in 1968," Little said, highlighting the challenges universities face in knowing when to step in and shut down the demonstrations.

Key Takeaways

• Anti-war protests sweep US college campuses over Israel-Gaza conflict.
• Hundreds arrested at Columbia, USC, and Emerson College protests.
• Protesters demand universities cut ties with Israel and divest.
• Tensions rise over free speech, campus safety, and antisemitism claims.
• Parallels drawn to 1960s anti-Vietnam War movement on college campuses.