A domino of protests have taken place in universities all over the U.S. against the invasion of Gaza. On April 22, 2024, students began to set up solidarity encampments, where they settled in tents around campus and peacefully protested daily. The reason as to why the students attending many ivy leagues like Yale, NYU, MIT, etc., is due to these universities investing in relations with companies that have strong ties to Israel and help fund their military actions. Until further notice, administrators have decided to make all classes remote for the time being, in attempts to dial down the anger, in hopes of a, soon, safer environment.
It’s extremely important to keep a safe environment, specially for Jewish students, as the Jewish holiday of Passover was to begin shortly after and antisemitism was a significant problem on campus. Soon, the faculty started to join as well, but due to the peaceful but non-stop protesting, these colleges have resorted to suspending and press charges against the students participating in the encampments.
“The American Association of University Professors chapter at Columbia and Barnard College said it condemned the arrest of students engaging in peaceful protest” (NPR).
