As the new academic year begins, college campuses across the United States are once again becoming hotspots for pro-Palestinian protests. The resurgence of these demonstrations is driven by students and faculty members expressing outrage over U.S. support for Israel amid ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The pro-Palestinian protests, which had quieted down over the summer, may soon be back in full force. At the University of Texas at Austin, protests had been particularly intense, with dozens of students arrested. Governor Greg Abbott and university officials have faced criticism for their heavy-handed response, which included deploying armed state troopers and using pepper spray to disperse crowds.
Red paint sprayed on hands of Amsterdam Anne Frank statue in pro-Palestine protesthttps://t.co/iuv6N9kEQz
— ADL Tracker (@ADL_Tracker) August 5, 2024
Columbia University had also seen a resurgence of demonstrations. Students there have occupied buildings and disrupted classes, demanding that the university divest from companies supporting Israel. These actions have led to clashes with campus security and local law enforcement.
The protests are not just limited to a few universities. Across the country, from the University of Pennsylvania to the University of California, Los Angeles, similar scenes are playing out. Students are calling for an end to what they describe as U.S. complicity in Israeli actions in Gaza.
Two-tier protests (pro Palestine protected; pro Israel arrested/penned into corner of road); monuments defaced, banks & companies who work with Israel damaged with pro Pali/anti Israel slogans = no arrests! This is two-tier policing par excellence. @Keir_Starmer https://t.co/YIIBHWiRhs
— Fairbrit (@wealdengirl) August 5, 2024
Financial backing for these protests comes from several high-profile donors and foundations. The Rockefeller Brothers Fund and the Open Society Foundations, among others, have provided significant funding to groups like Jewish Voice for Peace and IfNotNow, which are at the forefront of these demonstrations. This financial support has drawn criticism from some who accuse these organizations of supporting antisemitic rhetoric and actions.
President Joe Biden has responded to the protests, condemning the violence and property destruction that have accompanied some of these demonstrations. “Destroying property is not a peaceful protest; it’s against the law,” Biden said in a recent statement. This stance, however, has not quelled the anger of young protesters, many of whom feel betrayed by what they see as the administration’s failure to adequately address their concerns.
The protests are putting pressure on universities to take a stand. Some, like Columbia, have begun suspending students who refuse to end their protests. Others, like UT-Austin, have faced faculty backlash over their handling of the situation. The tension between the need for free speech and the need to maintain order on campus is becoming a significant issue for many institutions.
With the protests showing no signs of abating, and the conflict in Gaza continuing, it appears that the new academic year will be marked by ongoing demonstrations and heightened political activism on campuses across the country. The impact of these protests on both university policies and broader public opinion remains to be seen.
