The situation in the USA is getting worse
Masked demonstrators barricade themselves in an elite university
April 30, 2024, 11:14 a.m
The protests at New York’s elite Columbia University are getting more and more out of hand. People covered with Palestinian scarves break windows and occupy a building. The university had previously announced that it would suspend students if they did not leave a protest camp on the site.
The pro-Palestinian demonstrations at New York’s elite Columbia University, which have been going on for almost two weeks, are threatening to escalate. During the night, demonstrators broke into a building, US media reported. It is the Hamilton Hall, which was also occupied in 1968 during a protest against the Vietnam War.
Videos showed masked people wearing black and white Palestinian scarves breaking windows and barricading the entrance to the building with chairs and tables. According to the Columbia Spectator student newspaper, there were several dozen protesters in Hamilton Hall. Hundreds more demonstrated in front of the building.
On Monday, the university announced it would suspend students if they did not leave a protest camp on campus by the afternoon. The demonstrators let the deadline pass. A statement read by a student afterwards spoke of fear-mongering. The protest participants would not leave until the university complied with their demands or they were forcibly removed.
Students speak of fearmongering
The demonstrators criticize Israel’s actions in the Gaza war and demand solidarity with the Palestinians. They also demand that their university end financial relationships with Israel.
University President Minouche Shafikn made clear in a statement Monday that the university has no intention of “withdrawing investments from Israel.” However, in discussions, the university management offered to increase transparency about the investments made by the university and to examine student suggestions for “socially responsible investing” more quickly.
Jewish students leave university
Shafik complained that many of the Jewish students had found the atmosphere at Columbia University in recent weeks “unbearable” and had therefore left the university. “Anti-Semitic language and actions are unacceptable and calls for violence are simply abhorrent,” said the university president.
The government of US President Joe Biden called on the demonstrators to refrain from violence. “We obviously respect the right to peaceful protests,” said National Security Council spokesman John Kirby on ABC News on Sunday. However, the government condemns anti-Semitic statements “as well as circulating hate speech and threats of violence.”
Hundreds of arrests nationwide
Almost two weeks ago, an operation by the New York police at Columbia caused a stir and criticism, which resulted in protests and the setting up of tent camps in dozens of universities in the USA. Since then, more than 800 people have been arrested across the country, including university staff, according to the New York Times. Some are accused of anti-Semitism and trivializing the Islamist Hamas, whose goal, among other things, is the destruction of the state of Israel. The organizers of the protests reject the accusation of anti-Semitism. They emphasize that the protests are directed against Israel’s warfare in the Gaza Strip.
On October 7 last year, Hamas killed around 1,200 people and kidnapped more than 250 as hostages in the Gaza Strip. Israel responded with a ground offensive and air strikes in the coastal area. Israel’s attacks have killed about 34,500 people since the start of the war, according to Hamas-controlled health authorities.