Students in Paris have taken cues from the protest movement at universities in the United States to show support for Palestine. Inspired by protests at schools like Columbia, Harvard, and MIT, around 100 students near the Sorbonne University chanted slogans in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza during Israel’s ongoing offensive. The protests have faced some challenges, with a clash between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli demonstrators at the Paris Institute of Sciences Po, but ultimately ended peacefully. Despite efforts by riot police to separate opposing groups, the student-led protests in Paris have remained strong in their support for Palestine.
In New York, students at Columbia University have refused to disband their encampment and end protests in support of Palestine, defying a deadline set by university officials. Talks between student organizers and university officials failed to reach an agreement, with the university rejecting calls to divest financial holdings linked to Israel – a core demand of the protesters. Despite the university’s threat of disciplinary action, students remain resolute in their defiance, with no officials attempting to forcibly remove them from the protest area on the university’s main lawn. The student-led movement at Columbia began two weeks ago in response to police efforts to dismantle a small group of protesters, sparking solidarity demonstrations at campuses across the United States.
The protests in Paris and at Columbia University are part of a broader campus protest movement in support of Palestine that has taken hold at universities across the United States. Students in both Paris and New York have drawn inspiration from the actions of their counterparts in the US, expressing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza amid continued violence and oppression. Despite facing challenges and opposition, including clashes between different groups of demonstrators, students in Paris and at Columbia University have remained steadfast in their commitment to advocating for justice and peace in Palestine. The protest movement shows no signs of slowing down, with students continuing to mobilize and stand united in their support for Palestine.
The protests at universities in the US and in Paris have highlighted the power of student activism in raising awareness and advocating for social justice causes. By taking cues from the protest movement in the US, students in Paris have been able to amplify their voices and show solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Similarly, students at Columbia University have defied attempts by university officials to disband their protest encampment, demonstrating the strength and resolve of the student-led movement. The protests have not only drawn attention to the ongoing conflict in Palestine but have also sparked a wave of solidarity demonstrations across the US, underscoring the impact of student activism in mobilizing support for important social issues.
Despite facing suppression and opposition from authorities, students in Paris and at Columbia University have remained resilient in their efforts to advocate for justice and peace in Palestine. The protests have sparked important conversations about divestment and solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, with students refusing to back down in the face of threats and intimidation. The campus protest movement, inspired by actions at universities in the US, has brought attention to the plight of Palestinians and the need for international support. By standing together and amplifying their voices, students have shown the power of activism in challenging oppressive systems and advocating for meaningful change. The protests in Paris and at Columbia University serve as a testament to the strength and determination of student-led movements in advancing social justice causes.
