Anti-Israel protests have continued to linger across college campuses nationwide, with more than 2,600 people being arrested on 50 campuses. The protesters are calling for their schools to cut all ties with Israel over its war in Gaza. University administrators have shown mixed reactions to the protests, with some schools cracking down immediately while others have shown more restraint. The protests have been compared to Marxist revolutionaries, Black Lives Matter, and the KKK, with some becoming increasingly combative, such as calling for the “guillotine” for school administrators.
At the University of Chicago, protesters were warned to leave or face removal after gathering on campus for more than a week. University President Paul Alivisatos acknowledged the importance of freedom of speech but took a stance that the protest had crossed a line and caused safety concerns. Similarly, officials at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, have warned instructors against withholding grades from students who are protesting. At the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), protesters were given a deadline to voluntarily leave or face suspension, with dozens remaining despite interim suspensions and discipline committee referrals being in process.
While some schools are showing a permissive attitude towards the protests, others are starting to change their tune. The Rhode Island School of Design affirmed students’ rights to freedom of speech and peaceful assembly, while at Wesleyan University in Connecticut, a pro-Palestinian tent encampment has grown from about 20 tents to more than 100. Wesleyan’s president has commended the on-campus demonstration as an act of political expression but some protesters are still calling for more action from the university. As commencement approaches, protesters fear they will be forcibly removed from the center of campus, adjacent to the field where the ceremony is to take place.
Overall, universities across the country are grappling with how to address anti-Israel protests on their campuses. While some schools have cracked down on protesters, others are still showing a more permissive attitude, allowing students to hold demonstrations and organize encampments. As the protests continue, students and administrators are navigating the complexities of free speech, safety concerns, and the balancing act of creating an environment where dissenting voices can be heard without disrupting the overall campus community. It remains to be seen how universities will continue to respond to the protests and manage the tensions that have arisen as a result.