Students continue solidarity protests, confront US university admins
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American university students continue to demonstrate solidarity with Gaza and rejection of Israeli aggression, confirming their rejection of the ongoing attempts to distort the student movement by accusing it of being “anti-Semitic.”
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Pro-Palestinian demonstration encampment is seen at Columbia University, on April 26, 2024. (AP)
Student protests advocating for Gaza and denouncing Israeli aggression persist across American universities. In a recent development, the administration of George Washington University notified protesters that their actions violated university policies.
On the other hand, students at the university rebuffed ongoing efforts to misrepresent the student movement by labeling it as 'anti-Semitic.'
From Washington to New York, New York University students established a new solidarity camp with Gaza following the removal of their previous camp in Gold Plaza by the police.
'Our goal is for the US to stop cooperating with Israel': Williams
Activist Emily Williams, a member of the Students for Justice for Palestine organization, emphasized that today's protest at Stanford University aims to express solidarity with the Palestinians and draw attention to their suffering.
She underscored that the protest "stands against the Israeli apartheid government," emphasizing, "Our objective is for America to cease cooperation with Israeli institutions that enforce discriminatory policies against Palestinians."
Williams pointed out that the US authorities are taking measures "trying to pressure activists to stop their solidarity with the Palestinians." She emphasized, "We take great pride in the martyrs of Palestine, who serve as an inspiration for activists. Our commitment remains steadfast until the Palestinian people achieve freedom."
Law enforcement clamp down on student protests
Students at Northwestern University in Chicago, USA, have joined a campaign of progressive sit-ins within scientific institutes, calling for an end to investments by various university administrations with "Israel."
Renewed confrontations between the police and students opposing the Israeli war on Gaza have sparked concerns about the use of violent methods to suppress protests. Hence, tensions have escalated since the arrest of dozens at Columbia University last week.
Activists report that in the past two days, law enforcement authorities, acting at the behest of college administrations, employed electric stun guns and tear gas against student demonstrators at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Meanwhile, police in riot gear and mounted on horses dispersed protesters at the University of Texas at Austin.
University administrations confront students
At Columbia University in New York, the epicenter of the protest movement, university officials have reached an impasse with students regarding the removal of a camp established two weeks ago in protest against Israeli aggression on Gaza. The administration has given student demonstrators until today, Friday, to reach an agreement to dismantle dozens of tents situated on the university campus.
The university previously attempted to forcefully disperse the protest on April 18, when university president Nemat Minouche Shafik made the unprecedented decision to invite New York City police onto the campus. This action drew criticism from many students, faculty members, and human rights groups.
Following this move, the police arrested over 100 individuals and cleared the tents from the main park at the university. However, the camp reappeared at its original location a few days later. Other universities are taking measures to prevent the organization of similar demonstrations on their campuses. Some have opted to disperse protests using police forces, sometimes resorting to forceful means.
Notably, US authorities have reportedly arrested around 550 individuals in recent days from prominent American universities for their involvement in protests against the war on Gaza, according to a tally by Reuters.
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