Students at Rutgers University showed patriotism by waving American flags and chanting “USA!” during anti-Israel protests on campus, following a similar display of patriotism at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill earlier in the week. This counter-protest was seen as a stand for American values amidst the chaos happening on campus. Rutgers student Jeremy Li expressed his support for the patriotic students and hoped that their movement would spread across the country. Final exams at Rutgers were canceled due to the protests, causing concern for the safety of Jewish students on campus.
A Jewish student at Rutgers named Abbey emphasized the importance of feeling safe on campus, especially during finals, and applauded her friends for chanting in support of the USA and Israel. Rutgers President Jonathan Holloway referred to the actions of Students for Justice in Palestine as disruptive and unprecedented, impacting the education and safety of over a thousand students. He underscored the university’s commitment to free speech while maintaining a safe and secure learning environment for all students.
The protests and counter-protests at Rutgers were sparked by a viral photo of Chapel Hill students defending an American flag that had been replaced with a Palestinian flag. The flag incident led to the creation of a GoFundMe page which raised over $500,000 in support of the Chapel Hill students. UNC has since put up a fence around the campus flag pole to prevent further incidents. Jeremy Li expressed hope that the displays of patriotism at UNC and Rutgers would inspire more students to stand up against similar disruptions on campuses nationwide.
Li highlighted the need to address the violence that has occurred at other universities, such as Columbia, where protesters have occupied and vandalized buildings in support of Hamas. He urged students to push back against these actions and stand up for their beliefs and values. The actions at both UNC and Rutgers represent a growing trend of students defending American symbols and values in the face of divisive protests and disruptions on campus. The incidents have sparked a national conversation about free speech, safety, and the importance of standing up for what one believes in.
The events at both UNC and Rutgers have shown the power of student activism and the importance of defending American symbols and values. The actions of the students at both universities have sparked a broader conversation about the limitations of protests and the need to balance free speech with safety and academic success. As more students across the country come together to defend their beliefs and values, it is clear that the spirit of patriotism and unity is alive and well on college campuses. The incidents at UNC and Rutgers may serve as a catalyst for change and inspire more students nationwide to stand up for what they believe in and defend American principles.
