Despite the US government’s call for thousands of students and professors to remain peaceful during their pro-Palestinian rallies at the country’s universities, the protests threaten to escalate. On Tuesday evening, demonstrators broke into a building at the elite Columbia University in New York, US media reported.
Videos showed masked people wearing black and white Palestinian scarves, smashing windows and barricading the entrance to the building with chairs and tables. According to the student newspaper Columbia Spectator, there were several dozen protesters in Hamilton Hall. Hundreds of others demonstrated in front of the building. Hamilton Hall had already been occupied in 1968 during protests against the Vietnam War.
Student groups Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine and Columbia University Apartheid Divest said they would not leave Hamilton Hall until their demands were met. “Occupying a building is a small risk compared to the daily resistance of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip,” said a statement on the X platform, formerly Twitter. Columbia advised students and employees to only visit campus on Tuesday for safety reasons.
Students are now suspended
After dozens of arrests at Columbia University and other universities – where people are protesting not only Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip, but also the US government’s financial support for Israel – the affected educational institutions are picking up the pace. Columbia University has begun suspending students who refuse to leave the campus protest camp.
Nearly two weeks ago, a New York police operation in Columbia sparked outrage and criticism, resulting in protests and the setting up of tent camps at dozens of U.S. universities. Since then, more than 800 people have been arrested nationwide, including university staff, according to the New York Times. Some are accused of anti-Semitism and downplaying the Islamist Hamas, whose goals include the destruction of the state of Israel.
Protests are also an important topic in the American election campaign
The situation is being fueled from outside by more radical voices who see an opportunity to earn political capital from the US election campaign. Democratic Senator Tim Kaine on Sunday rejected the suggestion from some far-right Republicans to send the National Guard to the affected universities – such measures could have a bad ending, he warned. Senate Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell wondered why everyone doesn’t sit down at the table for a civil discussion “instead of trying to dominate the conversation.”
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
