Protests in support of Palestine have escalated at universities across the United States, with arrests being made at the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Chicago, and other campuses. At the University of Pennsylvania, 19 pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested after attempting to occupy a school building. This comes after a previous protest encampment was dismantled on campus, leading to the arrest of nine students. The protesters, organized by Penn Students Against the Occupation of Palestine, called for supporters to bring items like flags, pots, pans, and megaphones before being escorted out of the building by police.
In a similar incident at the University of Chicago, protesters demanding divestment from companies doing business with Israel temporarily took over a building on campus. The group surrounded the Institute of Politics building, leading to a confrontation with campus police officers using riot shields. The school had initially adopted a permissive approach to protests but decided to intervene due to concerns about safety. No arrests or injuries were reported during the incident, and protesters left the building when instructed by campus police.
Overall, the protests on campuses across the country are part of a larger movement pressing colleges to cut financial ties with Israel in response to the ongoing conflict with Hamas. Tensions over the Israel-Hamas war have been high on campuses since the fall, but escalated following a police crackdown on an encampment at Columbia University in April. The demonstrations have become the largest campus protest movement in decades, spreading to other countries as well. While some protesters have taken down their tents, others have secured deals with administrators, while many campuses have called in police to clear demonstrations.
Since the beginning of the protests, nearly 3,000 people have been arrested on U.S. campuses, with tensions beginning to calm as summer break approaches. However, colleges remain vigilant for disruptions to commencement ceremonies. The latest Israel-Hamas war began in October, resulting in casualties on both sides. The conflict escalated as Hamas militants entered southern Israel, leading to a high number of deaths and hostages. The situation in Gaza has been dire, with Israel’s military allegedly killing over 35,000 people, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
Recent events at DePaul University in Chicago saw police dismantling a pro-Palestinian encampment on campus, following warnings from the school’s president for students to leave the area or face arrest. The ongoing protests and actions taken by universities reflect the deep divide and tensions surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict, with students and activists continuing to push for change through advocacy and direct actions. As the academic year comes to an end, discussions around divestment and support for Palestine are likely to continue, shaping campus activism in the coming months.
