More than 2,000 students across universities in the United States have been arrested by police for protesting in support of Palestinians. These students are demanding that President Joe Biden take action to stop the violence in the Gaza Strip and that universities divest from companies supporting the Israeli government. The protests have led to clashes with police, with some students being handcuffed and removed from sit-in camps.
At the University of Virginia, tensions escalated as police in riot gear removed protesters from their camp, citing policy violations. 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. The demonstrations are in response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, with differing views on the Israeli war leading to acts of violence at American universities. Despite the tensions, some universities have embraced the protests as expressions of freedom of opinion and expression.
The protests come in the wake of the Israeli attack on Gaza and the subsequent retaliatory strikes. Universities are encountering challenges in managing these demonstrations, with some students extending the protests beyond graduation ceremonies. Views on the conflict remain diverse, leading to a mix of peaceful demonstrations and clashes with authorities.