Student demonstrations have been sweeping across the United States in recent days, with students from top institutions like Columbia, New York, and UCLA calling for universities to sever ties with the Israeli government in response to attacks in Gaza. Arrests have been made at protests in various public and private universities, with over 200 protesters detained in Columbia and City College of New York alone. Police actions have also occurred at the University of Wisconsin and the University of Texas, where student camps and demonstrations have taken place.
Columbia has become a focal point for university protests against the war in Gaza, with Mayor Eric Adams stating that some protesters were not enrolled at the university and were considered external agitators. Over 280 people have been arrested in pro-Palestine protests in the city, with politicians from both parties condemning the protests and labeling some actions as anti-Semitic and violent.
At the University of Wisconsin, clashes between pro-Israel and pro-Palestine groups led to the arrest of 34 students, and similar confrontations occurred at UCLA. Meanwhile, students at the University of Texas were arrested during an occupation protesting Israeli actions in Gaza. Former President Donald Trump praised the New York police for dismantling a camp of pro-Gaza protesters at Columbia University, while tensions continued to escalate at various campuses across the country.
It is evident that the student protests are highlighting deep divisions and strong emotions surrounding the conflict in Gaza, with reactions from political figures and law enforcement reflecting the complexity of the situation.