Student protests against the Israel-Hamas war have been taking place on campuses across the country, with Boston College students holding a rally last week. However, the protests have varied in intensity and scope, with some campuses experiencing encampments and arrests while others remain calm. Boston College students, for example, have not been as actively involved in protests compared to other schools in the city. The atmosphere on campus is described as polite and rule-bound, with many students expressing apathy towards getting engaged in protests.
Despite the lack of widespread involvement in protests, some students and faculty members have taken steps to address the Israel-Hamas conflict. At Boston College, discussions, vigils, and rallies have been held in a civil and respectful manner. However, there is a sense of apprehension among some students about the repercussions of protesting, leading to a level of apathy on campus. While the number of students involved in protests may not be large enough to fill a lecture hall, those who do participate are committed to expressing their views peacefully and respectfully.
On other campuses in Boston, such as Boston University, students have engaged in different forms of protest, such as setting up chairs to represent Israeli hostages or holding die-ins to mourn those killed in Gaza. The protests have not involved encampments but have sparked productive debates among students from different backgrounds. However, at Emerson College and Northeastern University, protests were forcibly broken up by police, resulting in arrests. Meanwhile, universities like MIT, Harvard, and Tufts have allowed protests and encampments to take place, with some officials cautioning that they cannot last indefinitely.
Despite the different approaches taken by universities, the protests have raised public awareness of the Israel-Hamas war. The movement, which has spread to campuses across the country, reflects the diversity of opinions among Americans in 2024. While student protests have historically been unpopular with the public, they serve as a platform for students to express their views on important issues. As the school year comes to an end and students prepare for finals, the intensity of the protests may simmer down, only to potentially reignite as the U.S. election season progresses. Overall, the protests have highlighted the various ways in which students engage with and respond to global conflicts on college campuses.
