Faculty members at Columbia University stage walkout in protest – find out the reasons behind their actions

Faculty members at Columbia University in New York staged a walkout in support of students who were arrested during a pro-Palestinian protest last week. The walkout saw hundreds of teachers expressing their frustration, coinciding with the reinstallation of protest tents on campus that had been removed after the arrests.

University President Minouche Shafik responded to the situation by announcing that all classes would be held virtually on Monday to de-escalate the tension on campus. The protest at Columbia University has inspired students at other universities like Yale, NYU, MIT, and the University of Michigan to demand their schools condemn Israel’s actions in Gaza and divest from companies selling weapons to Israel.

The protests come in the wake of Hamas’ attack on southern Israel, resulting in civilian casualties and hostages. The conflict has led to a significant number of deaths in the Gaza Strip, with a large portion being children and women.

The demonstrations have sparked a debate on campus safety, free expression, and inclusivity. President Shafik has condemned the protests, citing an increase in harassment against Jewish students and anti-Semitic rhetoric. However, students argue that their protests are peaceful and inclusive, attributing any issues to “inflammatory individuals” who do not represent them.

The ongoing protests have deeply divided the student body at Columbia University, highlighting the complexities of balancing free expression with ensuring a safe and inclusive campus environment.