As the protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza continue to rage on at American universities, the police have been forced to intervene in order to maintain law and order. This has led to arrests of students involved in demonstrations at several institutions, including the University of Texas, Fordham University in New York, and Columbia University.
At UCLA, pro-Palestinian students erected barricades that were dismantled by police, leading to the arrest of several individuals. Reports indicate that rubber bullets were used during this intervention, sparking outrage from some protesters. Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden has urged caution when protesting and condemned any actions that cause chaos or violence.
Elsewhere in the country, clashes and arrests have occurred at other universities related to this issue, such as the University of California and the University of Wisconsin. Some students have criticized police behavior during these incidents, while others have defended their actions as necessary for maintaining public safety.
The situation has become increasingly complex as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused the US of limiting democracy through its support for Israel. Mayor Eric Adams of New York also weighed in on the matter, attributing tensions to “outside agitators” while Columbia students denied any involvement from outside groups.
Despite these controversies surrounding protest tactics and political motivations behind them, there is ongoing debate about freedom of expression and the right to protest peacefully in America. The events unfolding across campus are drawing international attention and criticism from various parties involved.
