UCLA Police quell violent clashes, arrest hundreds following clearing of occupied Columbia building

Protests against Israel’s assault on Gaza have reverberated across college campuses in the U.S., sparking a wave of demonstrations and clashes. Amidst the turmoil, Palestinian students in Gaza have found solace and strength in the solidarity shown by their peers in America.

Ezz Lulu, a 22-year-old Palestinian student, shared her feelings of pride and gratitude towards the American students who have been supporting their cause. Speaking from the city of Rafah in southern Gaza, where she and her family are seeking shelter, Ezz expressed her appreciation for the unwavering support from across the ocean.

The ongoing protests have not been without their share of violence and confrontations. At the University of Arizona, police resorted to using “chemical irritant munitions” to disperse a protest deemed as an “unlawful assembly.” Similarly, at UCLA, clashes erupted between pro-Palestinian protesters and counterprotesters, with accusations of “an act of terror” leveled against a pro-Israeli group.

The tension and unrest have also extended to Columbia University and the City College of New York, where hundreds of individuals have been arrested in connection with pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Meanwhile, at USC, antisemitic symbols, including a swastika, were discovered on campus, prompting swift condemnation from the university’s president.

As the protests continue to unfold on campuses across the U.S., the voices of Palestinian students in Gaza echo with hope and resilience, drawing strength from the solidarity and support of their peers in America. The struggle for justice and peace in the region remains at the forefront of the global conversation, with students at the heart of the movement.