Students occupy Columbia building in protest against discrimination law

Pro-Palestinian protesters at Columbia University took a bold stand on Tuesday morning by occupying a building on campus. This action came after the university began suspending students who refused to dismantle their 80-tent protest encampment. Negotiations between the university president, Minouche Shafik, and the protesters failed, with the demand for divestment from Israel being rejected.

The demonstrations at Columbia are part of a larger wave of protests at campuses across the country following the arrest of over 100 students for trespassing on April 18th. The tension between the protesters and the university administration highlights the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas.

In other news, Republican Governor Gregg Abbott of Texas has instructed the state’s education agency to disregard the Biden administration’s decision to include transgender students in revisions to Title IX. This move has sparked controversy and legal challenges from several conservative states.

Meanwhile, California’s population saw a modest increase in 2023, a positive sign for the state after experiencing a population decline in 2020. Additionally, the DEA is reportedly recommending the re-classification of marijuana as a Schedule III substance, acknowledging its medical uses while still imposing regulations.

The news of the day reflects a mix of social, political, and legal issues that continue to shape the landscape of the United States. Stay tuned for more updates on these developing stories.