In a move to restore order on its campus, Columbia University has begun suspending student demonstrators who defied an ultimatum to disperse, following nearly two weeks of protests against Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
The crackdown comes after almost 100 protesters were initially arrested at Columbia on April 18, marking the latest escalation in nationwide protests against Israel’s military offensive.
The prestigious New York university demanded that the protest encampment be cleared by 2:00 pm or students would face disciplinary action. However, many protesters remained defiant, citing the death toll in Gaza as a reason to continue their demonstration.
Despite the ultimatum, Columbia’s vice president of communications, Ben Chang, confirmed that the university had initiated suspensions as part of efforts to ensure campus safety.
Meanwhile, at the University of Texas at Austin, police clashed with protesters and made arrests while dismantling an encampment. Similar incidents occurred at other universities across the country, including Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), where police used tear gas and pepper spray to disperse protesters.
The protests, which have gained momentum on college campuses nationwide, have posed a challenge for university administrators trying to balance free speech rights with concerns about anti-Semitism and hate speech.
Columbia University president Minouche Shafik expressed disappointment that talks had broken down, stating that many Jewish students had found the recent atmosphere intolerable.
Protest organizers deny accusations of anti-Semitism, arguing that their actions are aimed at criticizing Israel’s government and its handling of the conflict in Gaza.
As the school year comes to a close, administrators emphasize the need to maintain order on campus for exam studies. However, protesters remain resolute in their cause, despite potential academic repercussions.
The issue has drawn attention at the national level, with President Joe Biden’s White House defending the right to protest while condemning reported acts of anti-Semitism. However, Republican opponents have criticized the protests as anti-Semitic and threatened to pull federal funding if they continue.
Suspensions have also been implemented at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, where president Martha Pollack accused student protesters of being “dishonest” about their intentions.
The conflict in Gaza, which began with an attack by Hamas on Israel in October, has resulted in a significant loss of life on both sides, with civilians bearing the brunt of the casualties.