Officials Are Increasingly Brutal in Facing Waves of Pro-Palestinian Demonstrations on Campuses in the US

Pro-Palestinian protests among US students are widespread. They don't want to break up. Especially after the authorities brutalized them.

AP/MIKE STEWART

A police officer detained a demonstrator at Emory University campus during a pro-Palestine protest on Thursday (25/4/2024) in Atlanta, United States.

AUSTIN, FRIDAY - Pro-Palestine demonstrations among American college students continue to spread to various universities across the country. Hundreds of students were arrested on Thursday (25/4/2024). In order to disperse the student protests, a number of universities called the police.

Serious clashes are inevitable. In some universities, the police use tear gas and electric shock pistols to disperse protests. Several students are arrested, with their hands tied behind their backs with ropes. Many of them are also arrested after being slammed to the ground.

"They call us terrorists, they accuse us of acting brutally. But it is they who call the police when the students sit in a circle," said a student at Columbia University in New York City who identified herself as Mimi to the AFP news agency.

“It is the police who carry weapons, the police also carry electric stun guns. "We just want our voices to be heard," continued Mimi.

Also read: Pro-Palestinian Action on Elite US Campuses

He admitted to participating in protests for seven days and staying in tents set up by students on the Columbia University campus. This campus has become the driving force behind the pro-Palestine protest movement.

Protests then spread to campuses across the US, including several elite and prestigious universities such as New York University, University of California, Harvard University, Yale University, Pennsylvania University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and George Washington University.

AP/JOSE LUIS MAGANA

George Washington University students set up tents on campus during a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Washington DC, USA, Thursday (25/4/2024).

The students and protesters on those campuses want to express their solidarity with the Palestinian residents in the Gaza Strip who were attacked by Israel, following Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Until now, more than 34,000 Palestinians in Gaza have died as a result of the attack. On Israel's side, around 1,200 people died and about 250 people are being held captive in Gaza.

The students and demonstrators are demanding that their campuses sever financial ties with Israel and divest from companies with connections to the Israeli military. The students also demand that universities stop receiving research funds from Israel for projects that support the Israeli military and that they be more transparent about funds received from Israel.

Also read: Repressive Security Forces Against Pro-Palestinian US Students

However, university administrators are worried that the protests, which have been going on for days, will disrupt the lecture process and academic activities, including graduation plans next month. They also received reports from Jewish students that the protests had turned into antisemitism and made them afraid to come to campus before graduation.

Protests in various campuses were also followed by some Jewish students. They reject accusations of anti-Semitism and criticize officials who mix allegations of anti-Semitism with a rejection of Israel's policies.

Protests on various campuses were also joined by some Jewish students who reject being accused of anti-Semitism and criticizing officials who mix allegations of anti-Semitism with a rejection of Israel.

"People here who support the Palestinian people come from various backgrounds... (united by) a sense of seeking justice," said a 33-year-old graduate student at the University of Texas, Austin, who identified himself as Josh and comes from a Jewish background, to AFP.

The human rights activist organization, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), has raised questions about the excessive use of violence against citizens exercising their freedom of speech. "The use of violence should only be considered as a last resort and must be used proportionally against emerging threats," said Gerald Griggs, Chair of NAACP Georgia, through a letter.

Repressive apparatus

To disband students, a number of universities called the police. In Emerson College, a total of 108 people were detained by the police who dispersed the protesters and their tents on the campus grounds.

Four police officers were reported injured. The police claimed that no students were injured. From video footage from various media outlets in the US, including CNN, the police appear to be arresting students in a repressive manner.

"They don't need to use riot gear like that. They also don't need to violently throw people to the ground. The police should be able to apprehend people without attacking them," said one Emerson College student in court.

AFP/ELIJAH NOUVELAGE

Police arrest a protester during a pro-Palestinian demonstration at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, April 15, 2024.

A total of 108 Emerson College students were taken to the Boston City Court. They have not been charged yet, but will be prosecuted next week. Marat Erkan from the National Lawyers Guild reminded that the students were peacefully protesting and should not have received aggressive treatment from the police.

The protest action at Emerson College is just one of the protest actions taking place on campuses throughout the US. They were inspired by pro-Palestine demonstrations at Columbia University, New York. On April 17th, over 100 people were arrested on that campus.

Marat Erkan from the National Lawyers Guild reminded that the students were conducting peaceful protests and did not deserve aggressive treatment from the police force.

At Emory University in Atlanta, a number of police officers are armed with semi-automatic weapons. From a video recording, it can be seen that the police used a stun gun on one of the protesters whom they pinned down to the ground. Meanwhile, at the University of Texas, hundreds of local and state police officers arrested 34 people on the orders of the campus and Texas Governor Gregg Abbott.

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Finally, the police left after struggling for hours to control the crowd. "The police's reaction was excessive. Because many students were arrested, there will surely be more protests," said Dane Urquhart, a student from the University of Texas.

AFP/BRANDON BELL

A student is arrested by authorities during a pro-Palestinian demonstration at the University of Texas at Austin, Texas, USA, April 24 2024.

Pro-Palestine tents are popping up at famous campuses, such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Tufts University, and Harvard University. Their tents are still standing until Thursday morning local time. Columbia University is still negotiating with students to dismantle the tents, but has not been successful yet.

Graduation cancelled

The University of Southern California has cancelled their graduation ceremony which was scheduled for May 10th due to security concerns. Meanwhile, California State Polytechnic University has closed their campus and opened virtual classes.

Also read: US Citizens Take to the Streets, Demanding an End to Funding for Israel

The management of Harvard University in Massachusetts is trying to restrict access to Harvard Yard and requires permission to set up tents and tables. However, this has not stopped protesters from setting up 14 tents in response to a demonstration against the suspension of the Harvard Palestine Solidarity Committee on Wednesday.

"I hope Harvard listens to students' aspirations," said Tala Alfoqaha, a Harvard student who is also Palestinian.

US Education Minister Miguel Cardona warned authorities that hatred, discrimination, or violent threats will not be tolerated. The ability to accept different aspirations and perspectives from students is a hallmark of the United States.

Since the Israel-Hamas war, the US Department of Education has investigated civil rights at dozens of colleges and schools in response to complaints of antisemitism or Islamophobia. Harvard and Columbia are among the campuses being investigated.

In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday condemned pro-Palestinian protests on US campuses. He views US students as antisemites and demands that the demonstrations stop immediately.

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"What is happening on American campuses is terrible. Anti-Semitism masses have taken over leading universities. They call for the destruction of Israel. They attack Jewish students and Jewish campuses. This is unreasonable and must be stopped," said Netanyahu. (REUTERS/AFP/AP)