Over 350 individuals were apprehended at various campuses in the United States over the weekend, as the White House urges demonstrators to maintain peaceful protests.
In New York, Columbia University, which has been at the forefront of
pro-Palestinian demonstrations causing disruption on campuses nationwide,
initiated the suspension of student protestors on Monday when they refused to
comply with an order to disperse.
This action comes after nearly
two weeks of protests against Israel's Gaza conflict, which have reverberated
through universities across the country since about a hundred demonstrators
were initially arrested at Columbia on April 18th.
In response to the ongoing protests, university authorities in New York
set a deadline of 2:00 pm (1800 GMT) for the removal of the protest encampment,
threatening disciplinary measures for non-compliance.
During a press conference held after the deadline, an unidentified
student delivered a statement stating, "The egregious intimidation methods
employed are overshadowed by the tragic loss of over 34,000 Palestinian lives
in Gaza." The student affirmed, "We stand firm in our resolve until
Columbia acknowledges our demands or until we are compelled to vacate."
Shortly afterward, Columbia's Vice President of Communications, Ben
Chang, announced the commencement of student suspensions as part of the
university's ongoing efforts to ensure campus safety. Chang outlined the
consequences, stating that suspended students would be unable to finish the
semester or graduate and would face restrictions from all academic,
residential, and recreational areas.
Meanwhile, at the University of Texas at Austin, law enforcement clashed
with protesters on Monday, utilizing pepper spray and making arrests while
dismantling an encampment. This action contributed to the nationwide tally of
over 350 individuals detained over the weekend. Governor Greg Abbott took to
social media, declaring, 'No encampments will be tolerated.'"
"Rather, authorities are taking individuals into custody."
The protests against the Gaza conflict, marked by a significant loss of
Palestinian civilian lives, have presented a dilemma for university
administrators seeking to uphold both freedom of speech and address concerns of
rallies veering into anti-Semitism and hatred.
Video footage of police in riot gear dispersing demonstrations at
different universities has garnered global attention, evoking memories of the
protest movement during the Vietnam War era.
- Dialogue Breakdown -
Columbia University President Minouche Shafik, in a statement on Monday,
announced the collapse of discussions, stating, "Many of our Jewish
students, along with others, have found the recent atmosphere intolerable. Many
have left campus, which is a tragedy." She emphasized, "Anti-Semitic
language and actions are unacceptable, and calls for violence are utterly
reprehensible."
Protest organizers reject allegations of anti-Semitism, contending that
their actions are directed at the Israeli government and its handling of the
Gaza conflict. They also assert that some incidents have been orchestrated by
non-student instigators.
As the school year approaches its end, administrators emphasize the
necessity of preserving campus order for exam readiness. Shafik underscored,
"One group's right to voice their opinions must not override another
group's right to express, educate, and absorb knowledge."
A graduate student protester, identified only as "Z,"
remarked, "It's finals week, and everyone is still focused on exams. But
ultimately, education is transient," they told AFP.
President Joe Biden's administration has sought to balance supporting
the right to protest while condemning reported instances of anti-Semitism.
Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized the need for lawful expression
amidst the current challenges faced by Americans. Nonetheless, Biden's
Republican critics have capitalized on the situation, portraying the protests
as anti-Semitic and even issuing threats to withhold federal funding unless
they are quelled.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, for instance, denounced the situation at
Columbia University, characterizing it as a troubling influx of anti-Semitic
sentiment among both students and faculty, further calling for action, possibly
including resignations.
At Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, ongoing suspensions were
being issued as President Martha Pollack accused student protesters of being
deceptive about their intentions regarding setting up a tented encampment on
campus. Despite days of negotiations during which students were given numerous
chances to relocate the encampment, they chose not to comply. As a result,
President Pollack announced that additional temporary suspensions would be
imposed.