Pro-Palestine Student Protests Expand From Columbia to New England Colleges

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Facts

• Ongoing protests supporting Palestine and against the ongoing conflict in Gaza have continued at Columbia University and begun at other US campuses in the New England area such as MIT, Tufts University, and Emerson College.¹
• Students in the Greater Boston campuses began protesting around 7 p.m. local time on Sunday in support of the Columbia demonstrations.²
• In addition, in New Haven, Connecticut, at least 47 people were arrested Monday from among several hundred protesting at Yale University.³
• Additionally, Harvard University has closed its campus to the public after a demonstration Friday in solidarity with Columbia protesters. Harvard officials reportedly took the action, 'out of an abundance of caution and with the safety of our community as a priority.'⁴
• Meanwhile, at Columbia, the university moved classes online Monday over fears of disruption. The New York Police Department (NYPD) said that no additional arrests had taken place around the perimeter of the University, with the last arrest occurring Saturday night.⁵
• 108 demonstrators were arrested at Columbia University Thursday by the NYPD after police dismantled a Pro-Palestinian tent encampment.⁶

Sources: ¹CBS, ²NBC Boston, ³NBC Connecticut, ⁴Boston Herald, ⁵USA Today and ⁶Verity.

Narratives

• Pro-Palestine narrative, as provided by MIT Faculty Newsletter. Student groups advocating the liberation of Palestinians and the Gaza war have for months faced challenges in discussing Palestine openly at various major US campuses due to censorship concerns. Such student groups at Columbia, MIT, Tufts, and other campuses have turned more vocal in an unprecedented manner. This grassroots human rights movement is getting the long overdue attention of the political and higher education establishment.
• Pro-Israel narrative, as provided by New York Times. Complaints of antisemitism at elite universities like Harvard and MIT reveal systemic issues. Jewish students have, in recent months, faced threats, assaults, and intimidation on campuses, with allegations of biased treatment and safety concerns. Upholding legal obligations to protect students from harassment is crucial — emphasizing the need to address antisemitism and anti-Israel bias effectively in academic settings to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all.

Predictions