Texas Governor Greg Abbott has criticized Ivy League institutions, including Columbia University, for fostering chaos and becoming obsolete. Abbott’s comments stem from ongoing pro-Palestinian demonstrations at Columbia University, where over 100 students were arrested for refusing to leave a protest encampment on campus. Columbia University canceled in-person classes on Monday due to the protests.
Houston has emerged as a focal point for pro-Palestinian activism in Texas. Successful efforts have been made to cancel public speaking engagements involving Israeli speakers and Jewish sympathizers. Local groups have mobilized on campuses like Rice University and throughout the city.
Abbott asserts that Ivy League universities have outlived their relevance and serve as relics of the past. He accuses them of actively contributing to the chaos they once sowed. In a recent social media post, Abbott stated, “Ivy League universities are showing that their time has passed. They are little more than monuments of our past. Now they are accomplices of the chaos they helped to sow.”
The Houston Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) have consistently expressed support for Palestine, especially after deadly attacks on Israelis on October 7th. In July, Houston DSA declared Palestine a “red line” and defined anti-Zionism as combating settler colonialism and imperialism. Six days after the assaults, they condemned Israel’s “ethnic cleansing” of Palestinians and pledged support for Palestine alongside DSA chapters nationwide.
Rice University’s Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) has also voiced its support, including a statement on October 20th, 2023, extending solidarity to Palestinian individuals and families affected by the conflict. Additionally, a significant number of Rice faculty members signed a letter urging the university to release a statement condemning violence in Gaza and the West Bank and to foster a supportive environment for Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim students.
Rice SJP’s Liberated Zone became active on campus on Tuesday, hosting various activities to unite with the student movement and support Gaza. The schedule included art sessions, study time, letter-writing, film screenings, poetry readings, and political discussions.
Earlier this month, clashes occurred between pro-Palestinian demonstrators and Houston Police outside the Harris County Jail after the arrest of three protesters. Last month, a meeting hosted by the Houston Young Republicans (HYR) with Israeli consul general Livia Link-Raviv was postponed due to security concerns. Activists also interrupted Houston Mayor John Whitmire’s keynote address at the 25th annual “Houston Iftar” Ramadan dinner, wearing red gloves to symbolize Palestinian casualties in Gaza.
Other active pro-Palestinian groups in Texas include the local Palestinian Youth Movement chapter, Houston Jewish Voice for Peace, and Houstonians for Palestinian Liberation.
