Gaza (Washington Insider Magazine)— Thousands of students across more than 130 colleges and universities in the U.S. are protesting against the ongoing war in Gaza, staging demonstrations and encampments. Over 2,000 protesters have been arrested, yet the protests persist as graduation ceremonies approach.
Reasons for the Protests
Since Hamas’s attack on October 7 and Israel’s subsequent military response, students have organized rallies, sit-ins, fasts, and encampments to voice their opposition to the war. They are demanding that their universities, many of which have significant endowments, divest from Israel. This divestment would involve cutting ties with Israeli companies or those that conduct business with Israel, as well as ending academic partnerships with Israeli institutions.
Activists argue that institutions investing in these companies are complicit in the ongoing violence in Gaza. University endowments finance various programs, from research to scholarships, relying on returns from substantial investments.
The Spark for Protests
The encampments began last month at Columbia University when dozens of students pitched tents on campus as the university’s president testified before Congress regarding antisemitism. Following police intervention and subsequent arrests, the movement quickly spread to other colleges nationwide.
Protest Spread
Columbia’s actions inspired similar protests across the country, including notable institutions such as:
- Northeast: Harvard, Yale, NYU, Georgetown, and more
- West Coast: UCLA, UC Berkeley, and USC
- Midwest: University of Wisconsin, Northwestern, University of Michigan
- South: Emory, Tulane, University of North Carolina
- Southwest: University of Texas, Rice, Arizona State
The BBC reports that protests have emerged in 45 states and Washington, D.C., with similar gatherings occurring in Australia, Canada, France, Italy, and the UK.
University Responses
Universities have varied in their responses to the protests. Some have engaged in negotiations with student activists, while others have issued ultimatums that have led to police interventions. For instance, Northwestern University reached an agreement that limited the size of the encampment, while Brown University agreed to hold a vote on divestment in exchange for removing an encampment.
National politicians have urged colleges to take action, addressing antisemitic incidents that have occurred during some protests. Jewish students have reported feeling uncomfortable or unsafe, citing chants and signs supportive of Hamas as well as physical confrontations.
Arrests and Consequences
The protests have resulted in over 2,000 arrests nationwide, with significant numbers during the first days of May at campuses such as Yale, Stony Brook, and UCLA. At Columbia, police cleared occupied spaces and made 282 arrests, which included detentions at City College of New York.
Impact of Protests
While pro-Palestinian groups have long advocated for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel, no U.S. university has formally adopted the BDS framework. Despite the potential negligible impact of divestment on the conflict, protesters believe it raises awareness about those profiting from war.
Historical Context
Activists have drawn parallels to protests against U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War during the late 1960s. Significant protests led to numerous arrests and violent clashes, with four students killed by the National Guard in 1970, which ignited a nationwide student strike.
Effect on Graduation Ceremonies
As graduation ceremonies commence this weekend, protests are anticipated, particularly at Indiana University and the University of Michigan. Some institutions, like the University of Southern California, have canceled their commencement ceremonies due to potential protests, opting instead for alternative celebrations.
