Student protesters across the country are intensifying their discontent with the Israel-Hamas war, with demonstrations erupting on campuses from California to Texas. As universities grapple with the growing protests, tensions are escalating as graduation ceremonies loom.
At Columbia University in New York, students have defiantly set up an encampment in front of families who are set to graduate in a few weeks. The university has been negotiating with the protesters after failed attempts to clear the encampment, leading to over 100 arrests.
In California, the University of Southern California saw peaceful arrests of student protesters, while the University of Texas at Austin witnessed aggressive detainment of dozens of demonstrators. The clashes between law enforcement and protesters have been a common sight on campuses nationwide.
The protests have led to cancellations of planned commencement speeches and heightened security concerns. At USC, the valedictorian’s speech was canceled due to safety concerns, while in Texas, a heavy police presence led to arrests and clashes with protesters.
The demonstrations are demanding schools to cut financial ties with Israel and divest from companies enabling the conflict. However, some Jewish students have expressed concerns about the protests veering into antisemitism, prompting universities to take a stronger stance.
As tensions continue to rise on campuses across the country, the focus remains on restoring order and ensuring a safe environment for all students. The protests are expected to continue as graduation season approaches, with students advocating for their voices to be heard on the issue of the Israel-Hamas war.