From Columbia to Nationwide: Students Increasing Gaza War Protests

College campuses across the nation have become the battleground for protests as students continue to demonstrate against Israel’s war with Hamas. What started as a small movement at Columbia University has now spread like wildfire, with students setting up encampments, occupying buildings, and defying demands to leave.

The tension reached a boiling point last week when over 100 pro-Palestinian demonstrators at Columbia were arrested, sparking even more protests at other universities. From New York University to Yale, and even on the West Coast at California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, students have been arrested for trespassing and disorderly conduct as they refuse to back down.

The protests have forced schools like Columbia and New York University to switch to hybrid learning for the rest of the semester, while others have closed campuses or limited access to certain areas to prevent further demonstrations. However, students like Literature Ph.D. student Christian Deleon argue that there should still be a space for peaceful protests on campus.

As the protests continue, college leaders are faced with the difficult task of balancing free speech rights with ensuring the safety of their students. The American Civil Liberties Union and the New York Civil Liberties Union have both weighed in on the issue, cautioning against silencing political views or conflating criticism of Israel with antisemitism.

Despite the differing opinions on the war, students like Leo Auerbach at the University of Michigan emphasize the need for constructive dialogue and inclusivity on campus. As the protests show no signs of slowing down, it remains to be seen how universities will navigate this complex and contentious issue.