After Columbia, other top US universities rocked by pro-Palestine protests

Notwithstanding the fact that 108 students were arrested and three suspended last week, pro-Palestine protests are still ongoing at Columbia University in the United States.

The police crackdown has done nothing but fan the flames of opposition, in contrast to what they had meant to accomplish with their sweep of the encampments.

Students from a number of other US campuses have imitated this action, erecting their own camps, taking over buildings, and organizing protests.

Prestigious universities like Yale, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and New York University (NYU) have been attempting, but failing, to put an end to these demonstrations amid mounting calls for divesting from Israel and a ceasefire in Gaza.

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Pro-Palestinian protests have also persisted at academic institutions like the University of Michigan and UC Berkeley.

As students at Columbia University continue to defy orders to leave their encampments, tensions remain high. The administration and demonstrators have not been able to come to an agreement.

Authorities consequently declared that classes would be held in a hybrid learning environment through the end of the Spring semester, which concludes next week.

Nationwide pro-Palestine movements spearheaded by students have erupted as a result of these protests.

At New York University, 133 protesters were taken into custody after they allegedly threw bottles at the police, who were tasked to clear the encampments. They have since been released with a summons to appear in court on charges of disorderly conduct.

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Calling the arrests “outrageous”, Byul Yoon, an NYU law student exasperatedly asks, “Why are we not allowed to be here? Why are we not allowed to express ourselves?”.

Reiterating the protesters’ demands, she said, “We’re here to maintain a presence and to demand that the university divest from weapons corporations and from the Israeli occupation.”

MIT student Quinn Perian delved into the school’s involvement in the violence unfolding in Gaza, explaining, “They’ve [MIT] had over $11 million allocated in investments for projects directly relating to the Israeli Ministry of Defense in the past decade. MIT is building the weapons that Israel and the Israeli military are using to terrorise and to bomb the Palestinians in Gaza.”

UC Berkeley Student and Protest Organizer Malak Afaneh echoed the resolve of protesters, claiming, “Quite frankly, we’re going to be here until we achieve divestment. We’re willing to risk suspension. We’re willing to risk expulsion. We’re willing to risk arrest.”

At Yale University, protesters declined negotiations with the administration, which asked them to end demonstrations, leave the encampments, and meet with the school’s trustees. After defying several warnings, the administration authorised police to clear encampments. About 60 protesters, of which 47 were students, were arrested.

Harvard University also took preventive measures by locking most gates into its famed Harvard Yard and limiting access to those with school identification. Signs were also posted that warn against setting up tents or tables without permission. Despite these, encampments have been set up and protests are ongoing.

Following this, the student group ‘Harvard Undergraduate Palestine Solidarity Committee’ was suspended for violating university policies.

It is unlikely that the protests will be snubbed anytime soon. Resistance continues to soar as every attempt to suppress protesters is leading to more disillusioned individuals joining the pro-Palestinian cause.