Anti-Israel protests have spread beyond Columbia University to other elite schools and campuses around the country, with campuses in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York reporting protests and occupations by student groups. One protest at Yale University resulted in the arrest of at least 47 protesters.
Hundreds of Columbia University and Barnard College students have been protesting the Biden administration’s response to the Israel-Hamas war, calling for a cease-fire and an end to military aid to Israel. Over 100 protesters were arrested Friday, but demonstrations have continued, expanding to other campuses nationwide. Faculty, including some in academic regalia, joined the protests on Monday, while political figures have criticized the demonstrations and inaction from university leadership.
Student protests against the Israel-Hamas war continue to escalate at Columbia University and other campuses nationwide, despite the arrest of over 100 students. University President Minouche Shafik faces pressure from politicians and Jewish safety concerns have been raised, but protesters deny antisemitism and demand a ceasefire and halt to military aid to Israel.
Columbia University is facing escalating protests over the Israel-Hamas war, with student demonstrators calling for a cease-fire and an end to US military aid to Israel. The protests, which have spread to other campuses nationwide, have been met with arrests and suspensions by university administrators, further fueling tensions. The Biden administration has denounced the protests, while lawmakers from both parties are calling for action from Columbia President Minouche Shafik.
Columbia University has shifted to remote learning to quell growing tensions on campus over Israel’s war in Gaza. This follows the arrest of dozens of students protesting the university’s ties to companies connected to Israel. Similar protests and arrests have occurred at Yale University, prompting university leaders to take action against student protesters.
Columbia Law School professors have condemned the university’s suspension of student protesters and authorization of a police raid on campus. They cite procedural irregularities, lack of transparency, and involvement of the NYPD as threats to the university’s legitimacy. The university has declined to comment on the letter, while the faculty has expressed concerns about the lack of transparency, peaceful nature of the protest, and potential violations of established procedures for rule enforcement.
