Students at Emerson College and other Massachusetts schools have embarked on a peaceful protest by setting up tents in Boylston Place Alley. The alley falls under the jurisdiction of the Boston Police Department, and the encampment has remained intact as of Tuesday night. Similar protests have emerged on the campuses of Tufts University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
These demonstrations have ignited discussions about the balance between free speech and campus safety. Jewish students in New York have expressed concerns about feeling unsafe amidst the protests. Tara Levine, president of the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism, highlighted the alarming situation: “Jewish students walking through a campus are being told that every day will be Oct. 7.”
Harvard University has taken steps to enhance campus safety by limiting access to Harvard Yard to individuals with campus IDs. Signs have been posted prohibiting tents and tables without proper permission.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey emphasized the importance of ensuring a safe and secure environment for all students: “You’ve got to make sure people feel safe and know that their rights are protected here.”
Zachary Pinto, an Emerson College freshman participating in the protest, stressed that their actions are not motivated by antisemitism: “There’s no hate or animosity toward any Jewish student here. We have many Jewish brothers and sisters who are here with us in solidarity.”
At MIT, police are present but have not made any arrests or received reports of threats. Quinn Perian, a Jewish MIT student, expressed concern about the instrumentalization of antisemitism to suppress protests: “We know that when antisemitism is weaponized to try to shut down protests, it draws attention away from real incidences of antisemitism that are springing up.”
Emerson College President, Jay Bernhardt, clarified that Boylston Place Alley is not solely owned by the institution and serves as a fire alley with a public right of way. The college has deployed Windwalker Security staff to ensure safe access for both the Emerson community and the public.
