What we know about NYU pro-Palestinian campus protests in Columbia?
Dozens of students have been arrested at protests against the Israeli war on Gaza, now in its seventh month.
In the wake of the recent Israeli invasion of Gaza, college campuses across the United States have become a flashpoint for student activism. Pro-Palestinian demonstrations have swept prestigious universities, demanding action and solidarity with Palestine.
These protests center around condemning Israel’s actions in Gaza and urging universities to divest from companies with ties to the Israeli military. Campuses like Columbia, Yale, NYU, Brown, Princeton, and Northwestern have all witnessed passionate demonstrations.
🎥From NYU last night: Around 8:30pm what seemed like hundreds of NYPD officers in riot gear stormed the student encampment from the back.
— Radio Free Amanda 余美娜 (@catcontentonly) April 23, 2024
Cops were met by a huge wall of protestors linking arms to protect the encampment. NYU faculty were in front and first to be arrested pic.twitter.com/A9UExYuluZ
The student-led movement reflects a growing international condemnation of the invastion of Gaza. Earlier this year the International Criminal Court said it was plausible that Israel was conducting a genocide, though the full resolution of the case won’t be found for years,
However, these protests haven’t been without controversy with the White House made a statement against alleged anti-semitic incidents. To fight against the student voice, NYU staff requested the NYPD against its own students, who moved in to dismantle a student encampment, making dozens of arrests. The NYU Faculty for Justice in Palestine condemned the university’s actions, making pleas on social media to continue the pressure on the university on Tuesday.
Friend just sent me a video of them barricading Cadman Plaza at NYU where the demonstrations took place yesterday. pic.twitter.com/0Aob8AKuSj
— Arielle Angel (@ArielleLAngel) April 23, 2024
What is the future of pro-Palestine demonstrations at universities?
Pro-Palestinian student groups frequently organise demonstrations on campuses, advocating for Palestinian rights and criticising Israeli policies, especially so since 7 October. These protests always spark debates and raise questions about free speech, activism, and the responsibility of universities in navigating such sensitive issues. With NYU showing they are willing to use law enforcement against its own students, expect similar incidents to happen in the future.
The most recent polling suggests Americans are now unhappy with the Israeli conduct in Gaza, which has killed at least 34,000 Palestinians in their purported hunt for the hostages.