Pro-Palestine Protests Continue To Roil US Universities, Tally Of Arrested Students, Faculty Reaches 900: Updates

A sign that reads, Gaza Solidarity Encampment, is seen during the pro-Palestinian protest at the Columbia University campus in New York. (Image: AP Photo)

Graduation ceremonies scheduled to be held next month are also facing uncertainty due to the protests which are demanding ceasefire in Gaza and divestment from Israel.

US universities’ campuses continue to see massive protests demanding ceasefire in Gaza as well as divestment from Israel and companies that are associated with the Israeli government and its army. Protests demanding colleges and universities cut financial ties to Israel because of the Israel-Hamas war.

A report by the Associated Press said that campuses were largely quiet over the weekend but there were scuffles and some pushing and shoving by protesters on both sides of the issue at the University of California, Los Angeles. About 275 people were arrested on Saturday at various campuses including Indiana University at Bloomington, Arizona State University and Washington University in St. Louis. The number of arrests nationwide approached 900 since New York police removed a pro-Palestinian protest encampment at Columbia University and arrested more than 100 demonstrators on April 18.

The Portland State University (PSU) appeared to accommodate some of the demands of the student protests as it announced that it will pause receiving gifts and grants from aerospace giant Boeing. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) currently operates nine different Boeing products, according to the aerospace company’s website. The plane and defence equipment maker’s website says that it contributes a $3.5 billion benefit to the Israeli economy. The company on its website says its relationship with Israel dates back “more than 75 years — to the founding of the State of Israel”.

The sweeping pro-Palestinian demonstrations across the country’s universities were triggered by protests at Columbia University in New York City. The protests led to the arrest of over 200 students and faculty members.

The university over the weekend said that students and administrators there have engaged in negotiations and have set a series of deadlines for protesters to leave the encampment — which they have missed — but have decided that bringing back police to remove the encampments “at this time” would be counterproductive.

At the University of California, Los Angeles, protesters from both sides jostled. Counter-protesters who organised a “Stand in Support of Jewish Students” rally next to the encampments of pro-Palestinian students said their goal was to “stand up against hatred and antisemitism”.

California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, which is situated in the northern part of the state ordered an “enforced hard closure” as pro-Palestinian protesters occupied two halls. The authorities told news outlets that the cost of the occupation — including damage done by “theft, vandalism and graffiti” — was estimated to be in the millions.

Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein said in a social media post that she and two of her campaign managers were among those arrested from the Washington University in St. Louis where more than 100 people — including 23 students and four university employees — were arrested on suspicion of trespassing.