Results for: Protests

President Biden’s lackluster response to recent antisemitic protests in the United States exposes his double standards, as he once condemned President Trump’s Charlottesville rhetoric but now prioritizes political interests over unequivocal opposition to hate. Biden’s appeasement of the pro-Hamas wing of the Democratic Party has emboldened extremists and contributed to the rise in antisemitism. Despite Hamas repeatedly rejecting cease-fire offers, Biden has placed blame on Israel, demonstrating his detachment from reality or willingness to cater to extreme voices within his coalition. This behavior mirrors the very actions he denounced in Trump, proving that cutting corners in the pursuit of political expediency comes with a heavy price for the nation.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) defended Israel and denounced antisemitism during a visit to Columbia University, where students have been protesting for days. Johnson called for the removal of protesters and urged Columbia’s president to resign, while Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) expressed shock at the demonstrations in New York City. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-N.Y.) criticized protesters for receiving support from Hamas. Despite the protests, Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.) emphasized that students have the right to protest without shutting down schools.

Protests by pro-Palestine students have led to the arrest of 26 people at the University of Texas in Austin. The protests, which have also taken place at New York University and Columbia University, demand that their universities divest from companies supplying Israel with weapons used in its attack on Gaza. The Texas Governor, Greg Abbott, has expressed support for the arrests, stating that anti-Semitism will not be tolerated in Texas and that students participating in such protests should be expelled. The arrests have been met with mixed reactions, with some condemning the authorities’ actions and others applauding their stance against hate and anti-Semitism. More information is expected to be released as the story develops.

A newly released Hamas propaganda video showcasing signs of life from captured Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin has ignited outrage and protests demanding government action for the release of all hostages. Goldberg-Polin, who suffered a lost hand and alleged mistreatment, implored the Israeli government to prioritize the hostages’ plight and return them home. His words fueled protests near Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence, where demonstrators held posters of hostages and condemned the government’s handling of the crisis.

Texas state troopers and UT Austin police prevented a student protest against Israel’s actions in Gaza on Wednesday. The Palestine Solidarity Committee had planned to occupy the lawn outside Gregory Plaza, but law enforcement blocked their path. The protest came after Texas Governor Greg Abbott criticized Ivy League universities for their support of the pro-Palestinian movement.

A recent event at Columbia University featuring radical anti-Israel activists sparked controversy and fueled protests on campus. Charlotte Kates, representing Samidoun, praised Hamas as defenders of Palestine despite their deadly attacks. Her husband, Khaled Barakat, a senior member of a designated terrorist organization, also expressed support for the group. The university suspended in-person classes due to the escalating demonstrations, fueled by demands for divestment from Israel. Jewish staff and students have voiced concerns over alleged antisemitic incidents, including a professor being denied entry to campus out of safety fears.

Amidst the excitement of the Paris Olympics and Taylor Swift’s tour, protests are erupting across Europe against overtourism. Residents from Barcelona to Venice denounce the influx of tourists that overcrowds their streets and strains local resources. Cities are implementing measures to combat the issue, from removing bus routes to considering entrance fees.

Toomaj Salehi, a well-known Iranian rapper who expressed support for anti-government demonstrations, has been sentenced to death by an Iranian court. Salehi’s lawyer criticized the verdict, emphasizing its disregard for the Supreme Court’s instructions and legal inconsistencies.

An NYU professor has denounced anti-Israel protests on college campuses, highlighting the double standard that allows antisemitism to be tolerated while similar hate speech against other groups would not be. Scott Galloway, a professor at NYU Stern School of Business, criticized the prevalence of anti-Israel content on TikTok, which he believes manipulates students and contributes to their misguided conflation of the civil rights movement with the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Galloway also attributed the antisemitic atmosphere to a theory promoted by NYU professors that links oppression to whiteness and wealth, with Israel being perceived as a symbol of both.

Chicago has a long history of hosting major political conventions, but these events have often been accompanied by protests and controversy. The 1968 Democratic National Convention was marred by a police riot, while the 1996 convention saw health care activists denied a permit to protest. In 2024, protesters against the Israeli bombing of Gaza have been denied a permit to protest near the Democratic National Convention. This has raised concerns about the city’s handling of protests and the potential for violence. Meanwhile, the city’s efforts to address climate change have also faced criticism, with some residents arguing that the proposed measures will harm the economy and restrict personal freedoms.