Pro-Palestinian protests have led to over 1,000 arrests on college campuses across the United States in recent weeks. Students and faculty members have been arrested as universities and city police departments crack down on the protest movement calling for divestment from Israel. The arrests have taken place at various campuses, including Portland State University, UCLA, Dartmouth University, the University of New Hampshire, Yale University, Fordham University, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and many others. Protesters have been charged with offenses such as trespassing and resisting arrest.
Some universities have successfully negotiated with protesters and ended the encampments. Northwestern University reached a deal with its student protesters, agreeing to disclose the university’s direct investments and establish an Advisory Committee on Investment Responsibility. Brown University’s encampment was also dismantled after the university agreed to meet with students on divestment from the Israeli occupation of Palestinian Territory. However, the protests at other campuses continue, with encampments still ongoing at Rutgers University, Harvard University, and George Washington University.
A surprising incident occurred at Columbia University, where an NYPD officer accidentally fired his gun inside Hamilton Hall while removing protestors. No one was injured in the incident, but it is being reviewed by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office. The protests began at Columbia University on April 17, leading to over 100 arrests and the forcible dismantling of the camp. The protests have since spread to other campuses across the country, prompting responses from administrators and law enforcement.
Since April 18, a total of 2,200 people have been arrested at campus protests, with 56 arrest incidents reported at 43 different U.S. colleges or universities. The protests have gained momentum after students at Columbia University created a Gaza Solidarity Encampment, leading to a crackdown by authorities and subsequent encampments on other campuses. Some universities have taken steps to address the protesters’ demands, while others have escalated their responses by arresting demonstrators. The ongoing protests highlight the growing solidarity with the Palestinian cause on college campuses and the challenges faced by activists in advocating for divestment from Israel.
In a surprising development, Yemen’s Sanaa University criticized the police crackdown on students participating in the protests. The university, under the control of the Houthi militia, offered admission to students suspended from U.S. universities for supporting Palestinians. The statement from Sanaa University officials denounced the suppression of freedom of expression at U.S. and European universities and expressed support for the humanitarian stance taken by the protesting students. As the protests continue on college campuses, it remains to be seen how universities, law enforcement, and lawmakers will respond to the growing movement for divestment from Israel in support of the Palestinian cause.
