Student protesters across the country are intensifying their demonstrations against the Israel-Hamas war, with universities like Columbia and USC facing escalating tensions as graduation ceremonies approach.
At Columbia University, students have set up an encampment in defiance of the administration, leading to negotiations and over 100 arrests. Meanwhile, at USC, protests turned confrontational after the cancellation of a valedictorian’s speech, resulting in peaceful arrests of demonstrators.
In Texas, the situation took a more aggressive turn as police made 34 arrests at the University of Texas at Austin, prompting criticism from students like Dane Urquhart, who called it an “overreaction.” Despite the arrests, protesters regrouped and continued their demonstration under the school’s iconic clock tower.
The protests have spread to other universities, with California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, shutting down campus due to student barricades, and Harvard University facing demonstrations against the suspension of a pro-Palestine group.
As tensions rise, some Jewish students have expressed concerns about the protests veering into antisemitism, leading to fears about safety on campus. Police have made numerous arrests at universities like NYU and Yale, while calls for order from politicians like U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson have added to the pressure on university administrations.
Despite the challenges, student protesters remain determined to push for divestment from companies supporting the Israel-Hamas conflict, demanding transparency and accountability from their universities. The situation remains fluid as universities navigate the delicate balance between free speech and maintaining order on campus.