The ongoing conflict in Gaza has led to a surge of protests across universities in the United States, with over 2,000 students arrested by police for demonstrating in support of Palestinians. These students are calling on President Joe Biden to take action to end the violence and demanding that universities divest from companies supporting the Israeli government.
The protests have been met with resistance from some universities, with tensions escalating at the University of Virginia where police in riot gear removed protesters from their sit-in camp. The university claimed that some individuals not affiliated with the school were among the protesters, raising safety concerns. Similar protests took place at other universities, including a disruption of the graduation ceremony at the University of Michigan where pro-Palestinian students marched with flags and keffiyehs.
Some universities have called in police to contain the protests, while others have changed security protocols for graduation ceremonies. Despite these efforts, views on the conflict remain diverse, leading to a mix of peaceful demonstrations and clashes with authorities.
However, there are those who embrace these protests as expressions of freedom of opinion and expression. Universities are facing challenges in managing these demonstrations as some students are extending them beyond graduation ceremonies. It remains to be seen how this situation will unfold as tensions continue to rise between differing views on the Israeli war leading to acts of violence at American universities.
