Pro-Palestinian protests erupted across US college campuses on Wednesday, leading to the arrest of dozens of demonstrators.
These protests stem from a wave of student-led rallies calling for university divestment from companies with ties to Israel.
In Texas, 34 protesters were arrested at the University of Texas in Austin, among them a photojournalist from a local news outlet.
Meanwhile, at the University of Southern California (USC), over 50 protesters were detained after police dispersed the demonstrators.
The protests began last week when students at Columbia University in New York set up encampments demanding divestment from weapons manufacturers involved with Israel.
These demonstrations have since spread across multiple US cities, with widespread suspensions and arrests following.
Mike Johnson, the Speaker of the House, joined the heated debate during a visit to Columbia’s campus on Wednesday, where he was met with jeers from pro-Palestinian protesters.
Johnson described the demonstrations as “mob rule” and accused universities of fostering antisemitism on college campuses.
He called for “the resignation of the university’s president,” adding that if these incidents aren’t contained, there could be a need for the National Guard.
California also witnessed escalating protests.
At UC Berkeley, protesters have camped out on the steps of Sproul Hall, with a growing number of tents demanding a cut-off of financial ties to BlackRock and other asset managers linked to Israel.
As protests grew at the California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, demonstrators barricaded themselves in university buildings, leading to a campus shutdown and classes being held remotely.
The tension was palpable at Harvard University as well, where students set up an encampment in Harvard Yard in protest against the university’s suspension of its undergraduate Palestine solidarity committee.
The protests also saw a demand for an academic boycott, which would end collaborations with Israeli universities and introduce a new Palestinian studies program.
At USC, police and protesters clashed over tents, leading to numerous arrests.
At UT Austin, law enforcement deployed a significant presence, with hundreds of local and state police clashing with demonstrators.
A photographer for Fox 7 Austin was arrested during the confrontation, which included horse-mounted officers and officers with batons.
The Democratic governor of New York, Kathy Hochul, criticized Johnson’s visit, calling it “divisive” and “adding to the division.”
She urged politicians to focus on more pressing issues in Washington.
In contrast, Democratic congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez condemned law enforcement’s heavy-handed response to the non-violent protests.
Despite these incidents, many protesters remain resolute.
As one student at Cal Poly Humboldt remarked, “I think the solution is to get involved because at least I can feel like I’m doing my part.
Even if it’s not enough, I’m doing the best I can to make something of it. I find peace in that.”
