Protests rage at U.S. universities over Israel’s war on Gaza
Protests have erupted at several universities across the United States in response to Israel's military actions in Gaza. The demonstrations, which advocate for Palestine, have persisted despite a significant police presence and numerous arrests. At New York University, over 100 participants, including both students and teachers, were detained by the police for refusing to vacate a university plaza. Similar actions were taken at Yale University, where multiple arrests occurred. Columbia University has become a focal point for these protests, where the Gaza Solidarity Encampment was reinstated after being dismantled by police actions, resulting in over 100 students being arrested. Faculty members have openly criticized the decision to use riot police against peaceful protesters, calling it an overreach by the university’s administration. Columbia University’s president, Manoush Shafiq, faced additional scrutiny for his testimony before Congress, which led to calls for his resignation from some quarters and has precipitated a vote of censure. The protests have drawn a broad coalition of demonstrators, including Jewish students, who reject any allegations of anti-Semitism. At Columbia, protesters took a break from their activities to mark the beginning of Passover, emphasizing the peaceful nature of their action and attributing any negative behavior to external provocateurs. Demonstrators from a range of institutions, including California State Polytechnic University and Emerson College, have articulated a series of demands. These include calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, transparency regarding financial investments in Zionist organizations, divestment from these entities, and the dropping of all charges against students.