U.S. colleges are caught up in pro-Palestinian protests amid legal disputes and civil rights claims

More colleges across the United States have joined the widespread protests against Israel’s war in Gaza. In response, university leaders have taken different approaches, with some increasing security measures by deploying armed police officers, while civil rights groups are providing students with legal advice and pursuing court challenges.

Students at Columbia University remained on the campus’ lawns after a rumored midnight deadline to dismantle the encampments. The university has been at the heart of student protests for over a week, intensified by the involvement of the New York City Police Department and the subsequent arrest of over 100 students last Thursday.

Since then, numerous students across the country, ranging from California to Massachusetts, have established similar encampments. This has sparked a widespread discussion on the issue of free speech in colleges and universities. Some Jewish students and administrators have expressed concern, stating that these demonstrations have occasionally become breeding grounds for antisemitism.

The student protesters have demanded that universities sever their financial connections with Israel and Israeli companies, particularly those profiting from the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Although the protests have not resulted in any divestments, the week of demonstrations has had significant repercussions, leading to the relocation of classes online and causing disruptions to graduation arrangements.

Over the past week, law enforcement officials have arrested hundreds of protesters, with dozens being detained on Thursday. One such instance occurred at the University of Ohio, where a peaceful demonstration was dispersed by riot gear-clad officers. Similar arrests also took place at Indiana University and the University of Minnesota on the same day.

Reporter’s Notebook: Campus protests overseas have gone largely unnoticed.

Columbia students file civil rights complaint against university

Columbia University students, together with Palestine Legal, have recently lodged a civil rights complaint with the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. In the complaint, they claim to have experienced various forms of mistreatment, including harassment, death threats, doxing, stereotyping, and unfair treatment from Columbia administrators, including President Minouche Shafik.

Maryam Alwan, a complainant, shared with USA TODAY that the harassment she has experienced, both online and in person, has significantly hindered her academic progress. As a result, she has been forced to postpone her graduation by a year.

USA TODAY reached out to the university for comment on the complaint, but they did not provide a response.

Alwan expressed his inability to concentrate on his classes anymore. He highlighted that the prevailing narrative portrays the protests as highly harassing and discriminatory. However, he emphasized that the only discrimination he has personally encountered has been from counter-protesters at the demonstrations.

Palestine Legal has requested the Department of Education (DOE) to look into Columbia University’s decision to permit the arrest of over a hundred students who were peacefully protesting Israel’s genocide. This move involved the presence of NYPD officers in riot gear, marking the first instance of such action in decades. While the OCR refrains from commenting on ongoing investigations, an Education Department spokesperson has confirmed the request made by Palestine Legal.

Alwan expresses her desire for significant institutional reforms, which encompass compulsory training on anti-Palestinian discrimination, safeguards for academic freedom to educate regarding Palestinian history, and equal treatment in all aspects.

ACLU to U.S. university leaders: Don’t sacrifice free speech

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has recently addressed an open letter to public and private universities in the United States, urging them to uphold the principles of free speech and academic freedom. This call to action comes as a response to the escalating anti-war protests taking place nationwide, which have unfortunately led to a number of concerning arrests. The ACLU, a prominent civil rights organization, is committed to safeguarding the rights and liberties of individuals.

The letter, written by ACLU Executive Director Anthony Romero and David Cole, the national legal director, emphasizes the importance of upholding the principles of academic freedom and free speech in response to student activism. It urges educational institutions to maintain these core values while addressing the concerns raised by students, faculty, and staff.

The ACLU has put forth guidelines to ensure fairness, which includes avoiding the targeting of specific viewpoints for censorship. It is important to protect students from discriminatory harassment, but institutions should not penalize students for expressing their opinions on the war in Gaza, even if it is done in offensive terms.

According to the letter, it is important for students to have the freedom to express themselves, especially when schools are implementing fair and neutral policies regarding protests. The ACLU emphasizes that having armed police on campus should only be considered as a last resort. Additionally, schools should not give in to the pressures exerted by politicians who aim to take advantage of campus tensions.

Chicago students call for disbanding of campus police

Students at Northwestern University set up an encampment, which inspired other universities in the Chicago area to join in. At the University of Chicago, students not only demanded the disbandment of its private police force but also called for a separation from Israeli institutions.

According to local media reports, more than 200 students participated in the march held on the campus of Chicago’s South Side. Their primary demand was the dismantling of the university’s police force, which is known to be one of the largest private police forces in the city.

The South Side protest did not result in any arrests, according to a university spokesperson who also refrained from commenting on the group’s demands.

In downtown Chicago, students from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago, and Roosevelt University expressed their discontent by participating in protests. They took to the streets of Michigan Avenue, marching in unison. Videos shared on social media by attendees captured the event, including the moment when police guided them into Millennium Park.

Tent protest movement grows at UNC

Students from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill came together to set up tents, tarps, and air mattresses in a central courtyard last Friday. This initiative followed the establishment of the first pro-Palestinian encampment on campus a week prior. The tents remained in place for approximately four hours before the university administration requested their removal.

According to organizers at the school, UNC’s position in the South holds significant value within the broader national movement advocating for university divestment from Israel. The university, renowned for its esteemed reputation, plays a crucial role in promoting this cause.

“It is truly exhilarating and inspiring,” expressed Sylvie Tudor, a graduate student representing UNC Students for Justice in Palestine, in an interview with USA TODAY. She further emphasized the significance of initiating change at a public university in the South, particularly in light of the university’s close ties to the decisions made by North Carolina’s Republican-controlled state legislature.

On Friday, a vibrant scene unfolded as professors, town residents, and students came together under the shade of towering trees, surrounded by bursts of vivid orange and blue camping equipment. Protest leaders passionately conveyed their messages through bullhorns, capturing the attention of the gathered crowd.

Muslim students paused to pray, while organizers adhered to the university’s request to remove tent structures and laid the gear flat on the ground. Despite the changes in the encampment’s layout, discussions about the war in Gaza carried on without interruption.

Group of onlookers at UNC say they stand against attacks on Israel

A smaller group of demonstrators gathered in UNC’s Polk Place courtyard around 2:30 p.m. They stated that their purpose was to oppose the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, which claimed the lives of 1,200 individuals in Israel. Additionally, they expressed their solidarity with Jewish students.

Rabbi Dovid Cohen emphasized that their intention was simply to be present at the event. He made it clear that he did not consider himself a counter protester and mentioned that he visits Chapel Hill annually for the Passover holiday.

Occasionally, the group of around a dozen men, women, and children engaged in chants with the over 100 pro-Palestinian student encampment protesters.

Cohen emphasized the importance of standing up for targeted groups, particularly minorities. He expressed solidarity with a Jewish individual who, according to him, was being trailed by pro-Palestinian demonstrators.

The onlooker walked around the pro-Palestinian tent encampment for almost 20 minutes on Friday afternoon, recording the scene while the students from the encampment attempted to prevent him from filming with his phone camera. The pro-Palestinian students explained that they didn’t want to be filmed to avoid the potential danger of having their personal information exposed online due to their political beliefs.

White House condemns Columbia protest leaders call for Zionists to die

The White House expressed strong condemnation on Friday towards the antisemitic comments that were recently made by a prominent student organizer involved in the pro-Palestinian encampment at Columbia University.

In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), James issued an apology for his previous remarks, acknowledging that his words were inappropriate. He expressed remorse, stating that every member of the community deserves to feel safe unconditionally.

Politics: The White House has strongly condemned the recent call by a protest leader at Columbia University for Zionists to die. This statement comes amidst growing tensions and concerns over the rise of anti-Semitism on campuses across the country. The call to violence against a specific group is deeply troubling and goes against the principles of inclusivity and respect. The White House is committed to promoting a safe and inclusive environment for all students, regardless of their religious or political beliefs. Such hateful rhetoric has no place in our society and must be unequivocally condemned.

Fashion Institute of Technology protestors occupy university museum

Students at the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan have joined other city universities in protesting the war in Gaza. In a powerful display of solidarity, they have set up an encampment inside the college’s ‘Museum at FIT’ or Goldman Center. Demonstrators gathered outside, holding signs, while students sat inside the scattered tents, engaged in reading and conversations.

Students outside refused to speak with the press. Instead, they directed them to a press statement on the FIT Students for Justice in Palestine Instagram page. The statement outlines their demands, which include calls for financial transparency from the FIT Foundation, SUNY, and SUNY Research Foundation. Additionally, they are seeking a public statement from President Joyce Brown and SUNY Chancellor John King, acknowledging the genocide in Gaza.

Demonstrators are determined to maintain their position until their demands are fulfilled. They have coined their protest site as the “liberated zone” and “The People’s Museum: FIT Gaza Solidarity Encampment,” as seen on their signs.

Police: 36 protesters arrested Thursday night at Ohio State University

On Thursday night, authorities at Ohio State University took action by arresting numerous individuals as they dismantled a makeshift camp located outside the student union building.

According to the Columbus Dispatch, a total of 36 individuals were taken into custody on Thursday night at 10:16 p.m. Their charges included criminal trespassing, which is a fourth-degree misdemeanor that can result in a maximum penalty of 30 days in jail or a fine of $250. This information was reported by the Columbus Dispatch, a member of the USA TODAY Network.

Out of the 36 individuals who were apprehended, a mere 15 were found to be present students at Ohio State, as confirmed by a thorough examination of the university’s online directory. These demonstrators were released on their own recognizance, without any requirement to post bail, and are expected to make their initial court appearances in Franklin County Municipal Court in the coming week.

Videos captured chaotic scenes of police in riot gear forcefully subduing protesters, causing onlookers to cry out for assistance. In the midst of the chaos, 21-year-old OSU junior Skyler Goody found herself on the brink of arrest as she bravely joined others in forming a protective circle around the encampments.

Goody expressed her concern about the treatment of people by the police in Columbus. She questioned the use of riot gear and the forceful pushing of individuals while they were engaged in prayer. According to her, it remains unclear what the students were doing to warrant such actions.

Shahid Meighan and Cole Behrens from the Columbus Dispatch reported on the issue.

Revolving demonstrations outside gates of Columbia University

Protests were taking place just outside the campus gates of Columbia’s encampment on a sunny Friday morning. The atmosphere was filled with a quiet hum as people gathered to voice their concerns.

Hundreds of people came together for a pro-Israel demonstration, proudly waving Israeli flags and displaying images of the hostages who were taken by Hamas and other militants during the October 7 attacks. With great passion and conviction, they chanted, “Bring them home now! Alive!” The New York City police, equipped with helmets and batons, stood behind barricades, ensuring that the rally proceeded peacefully.

Retired educator Lois Stavsky, 76, a self-described “left-wing Zionist” who recently returned from a three-month trip to Israel and Europe, expressed her support for Israel’s right to exist. However, she had mixed feelings about the student encampment, viewing it as “mindless” and driven by a naive mob mentality. Stavsky did not harbor any hatred towards the students but rather felt sorry for them. She had decided to return to New York, home to the world’s largest Jewish population outside of Tel Aviv, due to her disapproval of the prevailing vibes in the city.

A short while later, a significant gathering of Hasidic Jews entered the area. They proudly displayed signs that conveyed powerful messages, such as “All Palestine must be returned to Palestinian Sovereignty” and “Judaism Rejects Zionism.” Their passionate chants filled the air, as they unitedly voiced, “one, two, three, four, Zionism no more. Five, six, seven, eight, stop the killing, stop the hate.”

Charges dropped against 57 protesters arrested at University of Texas

The charges against all 57 individuals arrested during the pro-Palestinian demonstration at the University of Texas on Wednesday have been dropped.

According to the Travis County attorney’s office, the 57 arrests made for criminal trespassing had no probable cause. Delia Garza, the County Attorney, who oversees misdemeanor cases, stated that her office concurred with defense lawyers regarding the “deficiencies” in the probable cause arrest affidavits.

During Wednesday’s protest, individuals were handcuffed by state police from the Texas Department of Public Safety and officers from the Austin Police Department. However, it is important to note that all 57 arrests were officially carried out by the University of Texas Police Department. As a result, the university police department was responsible for completing the necessary paperwork, including the 57 probable cause affidavits.

− Skye Seipp, a writer for the Austin American-Statesman, expressed her opinion on the matter.

Police stand guard at George Washington University encampment

Protestors spent hours passionately chanting slogans such as “Up, up with liberation” and “Down, down with occupation.” The sidewalk was adorned with powerful messages written in chalk, including one that read, “Fund education not decimation.”

Yasin Shami, a member of the Palestinian Youth Movement, emphasized that their primary focus is on Palestine. He made it clear that they are determined to stay until their demands are fulfilled.

Shami expressed his desire, along with others, for the university to be transparent about its expenditure and partnerships, as well as to overturn disciplinary measures taken against students who took part in pro-Palestine demonstrations.

Amidst the chaos, a group of counter protestors unleashed their anger, shouting, “You all support terrorism!”

A member of the crowd, waving an Israeli flag, passionately shouted, “Bring them home!”

UT president asked for state law enforcement help with protest

According to text messages obtained by the Austin American-Statesman, University of Texas President Jay Hartzell acknowledged seeking law enforcement assistance in preparation for a major pro-Palestinian protest. Hartzell stated that he and other officials requested help from the state because their police force would not be able to handle the situation alone. The protest ultimately resulted in over 50 arrests.

When state Senator Sarah Eckhardt, a Democrat from Austin, inquired about the increased law enforcement presence at the University of Texas at Austin, President Hartzell acknowledged that they had requested assistance. He explained that the university had received information indicating a potential desire among some individuals to replicate incidents seen at Columbia University and elsewhere. However, the university is actively working to prevent such situations from occurring, for obvious reasons.

“The chapter of this national organization, which has organized similar events in the past, seemed determined to violate our protest regulations, despite our clear warnings. While I cannot comment on the activities of other campuses, it is regrettable that we find ourselves in this predicament.”

On Wednesday, the Palestine Solidarity Committee, a registered student group, organized a campus protest. The robust law enforcement response to the protest was praised by Republican pundits and politicians. However, in contrast, several faculty members and students are demanding Hartzell’s resignation. Additionally, the UT chapter of the American Association of University Professors started gathering signatures for a letter expressing their “no confidence” in Hartzell on Thursday afternoon.

Tony Plohetski and Bayliss Wagner, reporters for the Austin American-Statesman, have provided an insightful report on the topic.

Trump weighs in on college protests, calling them ‘tremendous hate’

In a statement made on Thursday, Donald Trump expressed his strong disapproval of the ongoing protests and unrest at college campuses throughout the United States. He characterized these events as being fueled by “tremendous hate” and attributed the responsibility for them to his opponent in the upcoming presidential election, Joe Biden.

“This tremendous hate is something that we have, and unfortunately, we have a man who is unable to articulate it because he lacks understanding,” remarked Trump in response to the day’s testimony in his hush money trial in New York. “The current state of our country is something that eludes his comprehension.”

Several Republican members of Congress accused university administrators of allowing harassment towards Jewish students. This led to the removal of the presidents of Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania. Trump’s comments come after these allegations.

During a visit to the Columbia campus, House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed his strong disapproval of the situation, stating, “It’s detestable. As Columbia has allowed these lawless agitators and radicals to take over, the virus of antisemitism has spread across other campuses. Anti-Israel encampments are popping up in universities all across this country. The madness has to stop.” Johnson’s remarks highlight the urgent need for action to address the growing issue of antisemitism on college campuses.

Columbia students frustrated with politicians’ response

Jonathan Ben-Menachem, a PhD student representing the Columbia University Apartheid Divest group, emphasized the importance of politicians gaining a deeper understanding of the situation in Gaza and the experiences of students at universities across the nation.

According to Ben-Menachem, Mike Johnson showed a complete lack of concern for the safety of Jewish students when he parachuted into this situation.

When students were asked how they respond to accusations of supporting Hamas, they expressed frustration. “Hamas backed these protests at Columbia,” Johnson tweeted on Thursday.

Sherif Ibrahim, a graduate student with CUAD, strongly condemns the deeply racist nature of the question. He emphasizes that their presence is to advocate for Palestinian liberation and labeling them as Hamas supporters is highly problematic. Sherif further asserts that students are united in their pursuit to put an end to the ongoing genocide.

More student encampments form at New York City schools

The City College of New York’s antiwar encampment in West Harlem continued into its second day, with a noticeable presence of approximately three dozen tents on campus.

On a flagpole proudly displaying the American flag, a symbolic addition was made with the inclusion of a Palestinian flag. Demonstrating their support for the City University of New York public school system divesting from Israel, signs were placed at the base of the flagpole. Within the encampment, a group of individuals generously offered coffee, water, and food to those present.

On Thursday, as the encampment at CUNY initially took shape, campus public safety made an unsuccessful attempt to enter the space but were promptly driven out. City College, a public school within the CUNY system, boasts a mostly open campus. Likewise, protesters at the Fashion Institute of Technology, a public school affiliated with the State University of New York system, established their own encampment at the Manhattan campus to voice their opposition to the war.

NYU’s Manhattan Campus experienced a period of relative calm on Friday afternoon following several days of protests. The courtyard in front of the Stern School of Business, known as Gould Plaza, where student demonstrators clashed with police earlier in the week, was completely barricaded, and school security guards were stationed nearby. Keana Nelson, a 24-year-old graduate student studying social work, expressed her disappointment with the school’s response to the protests. She stated, “In the past, during the Vietnam War, when students protested, law enforcement used to suppress the protests, and we witnessed the negative consequences of that approach. It’s disheartening to see history repeating itself, as it seems we haven’t learned our lessons.”

City College of New York begins negotiations with student protesters

Negotiations between the student encampment at the City College of New York and the public school’s administration started on Friday afternoon.

Students are advocating for the divestment of CUNY from companies that profit from the sale of weapons, surveillance equipment, and construction materials used by Israel against Palestinians. They are also calling for a boycott of all academic trips to Israel, including programs like Birthright and Fulbright. Additionally, they are affirming the rights of Palestinians to national liberation and the right to return to their homeland.

The protesters are calling for the removal of the NYPD and Israel Defense Forces from CUNY campuses. They are also demanding an end to collaboration with Reserve Officers’ Training Corps and federal agencies like the Department of Homeland Security. Another demand is to restore free tuition at CUNY, as the current undergraduate tuition for New York state residents stands at $7,000 per year.

Organizers chose not to provide any comments prior to the negotiations. Jay Mwamba, a spokesperson for CUNY, mentioned that the administration had no comment except to stress that the safety of the entire campus community, including students, faculty, and staff, remains their utmost priority.

CUNY faculty and staff came together to show their support for the encampment by organizing a picket. The Professional Staff Congress, the union representing CUNY’s faculty and staff, strongly condemned the police for arresting the protesters and released a statement expressing their solidarity.

City College’s spring break is currently underway, with classes set to resume on Wednesday.

Zoe Hu, the chapter president for CUNY’s Graduate Center in midtown Manhattan, strongly believes that the current situation is not just a labor issue but also a violation of free speech and academic freedom. She emphasizes that in addition to these concerns, the destruction of universities in Gaza has resulted in the loss of an entire educational system.

Imprisoned Black Panther activist speaks to student encampment by speakerphone

Incarcerated Mumia Abu-Jamal, a Black Panther activist, expressed his support for the student encampments that are taking place across the country to protest the war in Gaza. Abu-Jamal, who has been in prison for over four decades, was convicted for the 1981 murder of a Philadelphia police officer. Although his death sentence was overturned by a federal court, he continues to assert his innocence.

In a brief phone call from Mahanoy state prison in Pennsylvania, Abu-Jamal, who is now 70 years old, draws parallels between the activism seen on college campuses today and the protests he witnessed during his youth. He specifically recalls his involvement in demonstrations against the Vietnam War and the civil rights movement for Black Americans. Abu-Jamal likens the current protests to the act of holding up lighters at concerts, noting that while people used to rely on lighters in the past, today’s generation uses cell phones instead.

He said that these flickers of light in an anti-imperialist movement are truly remarkable to witness.

Abu-Jamal had been scheduled to speak on Friday afternoon to the student encampment at City College of New York in West Harlem. However, due to Muslim students being in prayer on the campus lawn, his call was rescheduled for the evening. The previous day, he had addressed Columbia University’s student encampment through a speakerphone, with a microphone amplifying his voice.

Negotiations at Columbia University at an impasse

Columbia University students and negotiators from the Columbia University Apartheid Divest group held a press conference on Friday to discuss the current state of negotiations between the university and the students in the encampment. According to them, there has been some progress in addressing their financial disclosure demands. However, they have not seen any movement regarding their main demand of divesting from financial and academic ties with Israel.

Columbia President Minouche Shafik issued a warning to students, stating that if the tents are not moved by Friday, the university will have to explore options to restore calm on campus.

According to the students, it is crucial to reach a settlement before commencement, which is set for May 15. They expressed frustration with the growing lack of willingness to comprehend CUAD’s fundamental demands.

Student negotiator Sueda Polat expressed concerns over Columbia’s request for students to navigate through bureaucratic red tape without any guarantee of concrete divestment decisions in response to the encampment.

“The university appears to believe that students will not be able to uphold their determination to remain on this lawn. However, we have clearly demonstrated our unwavering commitment and strong resolve over the past 10 days. We deeply desire complete divestment and boycott, and we sincerely express this from our hearts. While the university may think they can overpower us, we firmly declare that we will not back down.”

The protests’ impacts on classes, graduation

In the past two weeks, the protests have had a significant impact on university administrators. They have been compelled to implement new policies to address the demonstrations and make adjustments to class schedules and graduation ceremonies.

Indiana University Bloomington recently made a significant change to its policy on “temporary structures.” The university now requires students to obtain prior approval in order to set up tents on the main lawn, as reported by the Indiana Daily Student. Similarly, Northwestern University in Illinois implemented a sudden ban on temporary structures following the participation of hundreds of students in nationwide antiwar protests, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Columbia University responded to the protests by offering students the opportunity to continue their studies virtually for the remainder of the semester, as in-person classes were canceled on Monday.

USC made the announcement on Thursday that it was canceling its main commencement ceremony due to safety concerns. This decision came after 10 days of barring Asna Tabassum, the valedictorian who is Muslim, from giving a commencement address.

As the spring semester comes to a close and graduation ceremonies are scheduled in the weeks ahead, other schools are faced with the decision of whether or not to proceed with their commencement ceremonies.

Hundreds arrested in nationwide college protests

Protests on university campuses this week have led to the arrest of hundreds of individuals across several states, including California, Texas, Indiana, and Connecticut.

More than 100 individuals were arrested and four officers sustained injuries during the clearance of an encampment at Emerson College in Boston. In Atlanta, over 25 people were arrested, and non-lethal ammunition was used by officers to disperse a crowd of protesters at Emory University. Shockingly, one person was subjected to a stun gun after being taken down by the police. Moreover, at USC, police arrested more than 90 individuals during on-campus protests.

The protests that have been taking place for several days now have revolved around the conflict in Gaza. The war was sparked by Hamas’ invasion of southern Israel on October 7th, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the capture of over 240 individuals. In response, Israel launched a major military operation against Hamas, leading to extensive bombings and a ground assault that have claimed the lives of over 34,000 Palestinians. As a result, large areas of Gaza have been devastated, and the population is now on the verge of starvation, causing a severe humanitarian crisis.