New York City – Protests against Israel’s conflict in Gaza have erupted on university campuses across the United States, with confrontations in New York and California making headlines. Police in New York arrested 282 people at Columbia University and the City College of New York as they cleared students who had been occupying Hamilton Hall. The protestors renamed the building “Hind’s Hall” in memory of six-year-old Hind Rajab, who was killed in Gaza by Israeli forces.
At Columbia University, student journalist Meghnad Bose described witnessing police arresting pro-Palestinian protesters who were blocking the gates to prevent NYPD entry. In California, at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), pro-Israel counter-protesters clashed with pro-Palestine activists, resulting in violence and attempts to tear down the pro-Palestine encampment. Witnesses reported seeing counterprotesters wielding sticks and throwing glass bottles at the demonstrators.
The demonstrations at US universities have been ongoing since the October 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel, gaining traction amid the prolonged Israeli war in Gaza. The protests intensified following outrage over Columbia University President Minouche Shafik’s controversial testimony to a US congressional committee, which critics viewed as neglecting student interests. Protesters are also calling for divestment from Israel and related weapons manufacturers, accusing administrators of weaponizing public safety and using claims of antisemitism to suppress protests.
The unrest extended to other campuses, with arrests reported at Tulane University, the University of South Florida, and the University of Wisconsin, Madison. The protests have not only resonated locally but also drawn international attention. UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese condemned the crackdown on protests at US universities, calling for an end to the violence and urging for justice and reason to prevail. In the face of conflicting responses, Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles decried the violence at UCLA, while New York City Mayor Eric Adams defended the police’s actions at Columbia University.
Amid the clashes, Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) criticized both the NYPD and Columbia University, accusing them of repeating past mistakes in limiting student movements. JVP’s Executive Director Stefanie Fox highlighted instances from history where the university suppressed anti-war and anti-apartheid movements, suggesting a troubling pattern of oppression. The protests continue to spark debate and raise questions about freedom of expression, public safety, and the complex dynamics surrounding the Israel-Gaza conflict.