A police raid at Columbia University has incited a series of nationwide protests across U.S. university campuses, with students demonstrating against Israeli military actions in Gaza and broader U.S. foreign policies.
A series of protests have erupted across U.S. university campuses, beginning with a police raid at Columbia University, where over 100 students were arrested during a demonstration against Israeli military actions in Gaza. The incident, which accused the university administration of protocol violations and prompted an internal investigation, has sparked further protests nationwide, including at the University of Texas at Austin, where students called for divestment from businesses linked to Israeli forces.
The movement has seen widespread participation and is marked by a call for a ceasefire in Gaza and an end to U.S. support for Israel. This surge in campus activism has captured national attention and has led to both support and criticism toward the handling of the protests by university and government officials. The debate has entered the political arena as well, revealing significant divisions within the Democratic party. Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jared Moskowitz publicly clashed over U.S. foreign policy towards Israel, reflecting wider party disagreements.
In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott faced criticism for deploying mounted state troopers to disperse protesters, although subsequent arrests were annulled by the Travis County Attorney’s Office due to insufficient cause. Columbia University faced its own controversy when university officials permitted NYPD intervention during campus protests, which led to arrests and condemnation from various academic and political figures.
Amid these events, Gen-Z activists are drawing parallels to historical movements, notably the 1968 protests, and are utilising digital platforms and historical lessons to advance their cause. As tensions continue, significant pressure is mounting on U.S. institutions and leaders to address the complex themes of free speech, safety, and political policy which these protests highlight.
