Over the past three weeks, a wave of protests has swept across more than 150 US campuses, with slogans like “Free, Free, Palestine” and “From the River to the Sea, Palestine Will be Free” resonating through university halls. This movement, reminiscent of the anti-war and civil rights protests of the 1960s, has seen students, faculty, staff, and supporters uniting against the ongoing Israeli conflict in Gaza.
The protests began to gain momentum following Israel’s invasion of the Gaza Strip in October last year. The violence has sparked widespread outrage, leading to numerous teach-ins, rallies, and civic actions organized by groups such as Peace and Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace.
University administrations have responded with heightened surveillance of student groups and faculty members. Pro-Palestinian student groups have faced suspensions at institutions like Harvard University, Columbia University, and the University of Pennsylvania. In the initial weeks of the conflict, criticism of Israel’s actions was frequently labeled as anti-Semitic, resulting in disciplinary actions against faculty at universities including the University of Virginia and the University of Arizona.
Origins and Escalation of the Protests
The current protests ignited on April 17, when students set up an encampment on Columbia University’s south lawn. This coincided with Columbia’s President, Minouche Shafik, testifying before the US Congress, where she was criticized by Republican legislators for allegedly tolerating anti-Semitism on campus. Her testimony followed a similar hearing that led to the resignations of the presidents of Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania.
In solidarity with Columbia, similar encampments sprang up at universities nationwide. These encampments, modeled after the shanties erected during the anti-apartheid movement in the 1980s, became hubs for political resistance. They included “liberation libraries,” medical clinics, and free food supplies, fostering cross-cultural exchanges and solidarity.
On May 1, Columbia University used armed police to remove protesting students from an occupied building, resulting in over 100 arrests. Similar tactics were employed at other universities, including a violent attack on a pro-Palestinian encampment at UCLA by a pro-Israeli mob, which left many injured and led to delayed police intervention.
Media Focus and Free Speech Concerns
The protests have sparked a broader debate about free speech and academic freedom, as the media has focused on whether criticizing Israel’s actions constitutes anti-Semitism. This has, at times, diverted attention from the protestors’ demands for a ceasefire, decolonization, and divestment.
Calls for divestment have been central to the protests. Students have demanded that universities disclose their financial holdings and divest from companies supporting Israel’s military efforts. This aligns with the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement, which has faced legislative attacks in the US.
Despite the complexities of modern investments, protestors have pressured universities like Brown University, Northwestern University, and Harvard to consider divestment. This movement has seen growing support, reflecting a generational shift in attitudes toward the Palestinian cause.
A Transformative Moment
The solidarity work of groups like Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), which has collaborated with various social justice movements, has broadened the protest’s appeal. Demonstrations have featured diverse participants united in their demand for social justice and a critique of global power structures.
As graduation ceremonies approach, universities have canceled or increased security for events, fearing disruptions. Some commencement speakers have withdrawn in solidarity with the students. Despite the potential for the movement to slow during the summer, the protests have already significantly impacted public awareness and university policies.
The recent protests have marked a transformative moment in US history, increasing sympathy for the Palestinian cause and challenging university administrations to address their complicity in the conflict. This movement underscores the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and a just resolution to the Palestinian struggle.