Protests on college campuses

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The protests are not only on the campuses of USC and Columbia. In the DC region, GWU's encampment with area colleges and universities' students joining in at DC/GWU campus. What effect if any will this have? Many have compared '23+'24 to the 60s/Vietnam.

Here is the GWU President's letter May 5:

Dear Members of the George Washington University Community,

It has been over a week since a group of students established an unauthorized protest encampment on GW's University Yard. Since then, there have been many conversations about students' rights to free expression and assembly and whether this is a peaceful protest. In this message, I want to directly address those conversations, share what we are experiencing on campus, and outline our desired outcomes moving forward.

Before I begin, I want to make clear that I believe the issues at the heart of this protest are important and deserve our full attention and consideration. There is a dire humanitarian crisis occurring in Gaza that must be addressed, and I am personally grief-stricken by the suffering and loss of innocent lives occurring on both sides of this conflict. I fully support and encourage our community to speak out and engage in controversial and critical dialogues on these crucial issues—as long as they occur within the limits of our university's policies and the District's laws. However, what is currently happening at GW is not a peaceful protest protected by the First Amendment or our university’s policies. The demonstration, like many around the country, has grown into what can only be classified as an illegal and potentially dangerous occupation of GW property.

History has repeatedly shown that there are many effective ways for communities to express their differing viewpoints lawfully within the District of Columbia. In the last seven months alone, at GW, we have seen this play out on all sides of the war between Israel and Hamas. I know that some in our community and others across the country argue that this, too, is simply a peaceful protest – and, at certain times, this has been true. However, when protesters overrun barriers established to protect the community, vandalize a university statue and flag, surround and intimidate GW students with antisemitic images and hateful rhetoric, chase people out of a public yard based on their perceived beliefs, and ignore, degrade, and push GW Police Officers and university maintenance staff, the protest ceases to be peaceful or productive. All of these things have happened at GW in the last five days.

It is also essential to highlight that at no point was this encampment lawful. From the moment GW students declared their intent to establish an encampment on University Yard, they were in direct violation of multiple university policies and were trespassing on a space explicitly reserved for the GW Law final examinations. The university, which is committed to protecting our students' rights to free expression, informed them of this and quickly offered a secure alternative protest site where GW would support them in holding peaceful daytime demonstrations. This offer was repeatedly refused.

Finally, it is clear that this is no longer a GW student demonstration. It has been co-opted by individuals who are largely unaffiliated with our community and do not have our community's best interest in mind. It is increasingly unsafe and a violation of university and city regulations to have so many unidentified and unvetted people from outside the GW community living on university property.

Conventional protests that abide by municipal law and university policy should and do receive protection and respect, no matter the message's viewpoint. As I have outlined, this is not what is happening at GW.

For these reasons, the George Washington University continues to tirelessly pursue every avenue available to resolve the situation swiftly and safely. We have offered an alternative demonstration site, requested the assistance of the DC Metropolitan Police Department, erected barriers to contain the protest, initiated academic and administrative consequences for trespassing GW students, expanded our security resources and personnel, and conducted regular and sustained dialogues with GW students connected to the camp. So far, all of these efforts have failed to end the encampment or deter the protesters from escalating the situation.

As a university, we are not equipped to single-handedly manage an unprecedented situation such as this. The GW police force is, and should only be, prepared to protect our community during normal university operations and to respond to routine and urgent incidents. When unlawful activities go beyond these limits, we must rely on the support and experience of the DC Metropolitan Police Department. At this time, the District is in communication with the university, and the DC Metropolitan Police are providing an increased security presence on and around University Yard.

I understand and fully share the deep concern many feel about the status of the protest. Many are frustrated that it is continuing; some are willing for it to proceed indefinitely. At GW, our commitment remains to regain and maintain the safety and security of University Yard, pursue accountability for those who have destroyed university property and harassed our community, and return our university to normal operations. This includes, of course, allowing and promoting the free exercise of various viewpoints and means of expression by members of our community within the limits of university policies. We continue to ask for the full support of our partners, including the District of Columbia, in pursuing these aims.
Sincerely,
Ellen M. Granberg
President

Does unauthorized mean they did not get a permit? Do they have to apply for one at this private institution? If so, isn't it grounds for removal of the encampments? Why don't these students protest, go home and come back again the next day to protest each day until they feel they are ready to end protesting?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Thousands of Israelis take to streets of Tel Aviv to demand cease-fire and Netanyahu’s resignation
Protesters are demanding the government reach a deal to bring the hostages back from Gaza, for new elections and the resignation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The demonstration took place as a delegation of the Palestinian militant group Hamas was in Cairo for cease-fire talks with Israel.

https://apnews.com/video/israel-government-israel-hamas-war-israel-protests-and-demonstrations-benjamin-netanyahu-80fa94064ad4429ebb52531ad3ca12dc

It spread to Israel! These protesters…right! They are just stupid, do not understand the history the conflict, children being radicalized, leftists, etc. They should all be punished. Why have they not been arrested like the protesters here?

Um... these protesters are demanding Hamas return the hostages. They are not demanding everyone else capitulate to Hamas. Quite the opposite.

No they are calling for the removal of Netanyahu, a ceasefire and the release of the hostages. They must be Hamas! Why have these people not been arrested and punished? How can you call for that here in the US but not in Israel? What is wrong with you?

Hmm. Maybe because NONE of the pro-Palestinian protesters here in the U.S. were demanding Hamas release the hostages. In fact, those protesters were painting Hamas as "victims." Their mission was solely to demand divestments and for Israel to ceasefire. That's it. They couldn't have cared less about Hamas holding Israeli hostages.

Oh, and they were arrested because they trespassed, refused to leave when told to, and hijacked a building. In other words, they broke the law and they fully deserved to be arrested. You don't sound bright, at all.

Oh so calling for the release 130 hostages abandoned by their government are the only that matters? The 35,000 civilians killed don’t? No these protesters in Israel need to be arrested. They broke the law. You on the other hand seen weirdly focus on some American students protesting against Israel.

[Anonymous]

if the protestors demand is for their colleges to divest from investments that support Israel, why don't they divest themselves by withdrawing from their university and taking their tuition dollars to a different university that invests to their liking?

[Anonymous]

What’s going on at GW?

[Anonymous]

This whole thing is a neverending hopeless debate.

The Jews and Palestinians will never be able to resolve their differences because of human nature. It's a profound difference of agreement and over time, it's gotten even more entrenched.

The more people want to argue/debate/discuss who is right and wrong, the worst the violence and the bigger the drama. I wish that the protesters would be allowed their say. You don't agree with them? Don't agree with them - they have every right to believe what they believe as you do. You're not going to change their minds. They won't change yours. The more confrontations, the more continuation of this drama. So let them destroy and burn down their schools. Personally, I don't think it'll ever come to that because what they want is to incite the drama. You don't give them drama, there's no leverage.

Texas handled it right.

[Anonymous]

This is an argument NOBODY will win. All wars will continue in ME until one side is destroyed. And that side (history has always shown it's not the Jews) will rise up and fight back the only way they can - through violence/terrorism/with whatever arsenal they can muster - and they will rise until they are put down again. This is proven fact. It's just the way of the world there.

The problem with the US government is that it can't help to get involved. That's the tragedy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:if the protestors demand is for their colleges to divest from investments that support Israel, why don't they divest themselves by withdrawing from their university and taking their tuition dollars to a different university that invests to their liking?

+1000

Best comment on the issue right here, folks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:if the protestors demand is for their colleges to divest from investments that support Israel, why don't they divest themselves by withdrawing from their university and taking their tuition dollars to a different university that invests to their liking?

This has always been to me one of the most obnoxious suggestions anyone makes whenever someone questions the powers that be. “If you don’t like it, just leave”. Sure, some people might choose to leave (the country because they are worried about a Trump presidency, a blue state because they fear for their safety, a city because it’s too woke, a university because it hasn’t divested from Israel). But most people want to see change happening and press to see change. “Love it or leave it” is really not the only way to proceed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What’s going on at GW?

Here is the GWU President's letter May 5:

Dear Members of the George Washington University Community,

It has been over a week since a group of students established an unauthorized protest encampment on GW's University Yard. Since then, there have been many conversations about students' rights to free expression and assembly and whether this is a peaceful protest. In this message, I want to directly address those conversations, share what we are experiencing on campus, and outline our desired outcomes moving forward.

Before I begin, I want to make clear that I believe the issues at the heart of this protest are important and deserve our full attention and consideration. There is a dire humanitarian crisis occurring in Gaza that must be addressed, and I am personally grief-stricken by the suffering and loss of innocent lives occurring on both sides of this conflict. I fully support and encourage our community to speak out and engage in controversial and critical dialogues on these crucial issues—as long as they occur within the limits of our university's policies and the District's laws. However, what is currently happening at GW is not a peaceful protest protected by the First Amendment or our university’s policies. The demonstration, like many around the country, has grown into what can only be classified as an illegal and potentially dangerous occupation of GW property.

History has repeatedly shown that there are many effective ways for communities to express their differing viewpoints lawfully within the District of Columbia. In the last seven months alone, at GW, we have seen this play out on all sides of the war between Israel and Hamas. I know that some in our community and others across the country argue that this, too, is simply a peaceful protest – and, at certain times, this has been true. However, when protesters overrun barriers established to protect the community, vandalize a university statue and flag, surround and intimidate GW students with antisemitic images and hateful rhetoric, chase people out of a public yard based on their perceived beliefs, and ignore, degrade, and push GW Police Officers and university maintenance staff, the protest ceases to be peaceful or productive. All of these things have happened at GW in the last five days.

It is also essential to highlight that at no point was this encampment lawful. From the moment GW students declared their intent to establish an encampment on University Yard, they were in direct violation of multiple university policies and were trespassing on a space explicitly reserved for the GW Law final examinations. The university, which is committed to protecting our students' rights to free expression, informed them of this and quickly offered a secure alternative protest site where GW would support them in holding peaceful daytime demonstrations. This offer was repeatedly refused.

Finally, it is clear that this is no longer a GW student demonstration. It has been co-opted by individuals who are largely unaffiliated with our community and do not have our community's best interest in mind. It is increasingly unsafe and a violation of university and city regulations to have so many unidentified and unvetted people from outside the GW community living on university property.

Conventional protests that abide by municipal law and university policy should and do receive protection and respect, no matter the message's viewpoint. As I have outlined, this is not what is happening at GW.

For these reasons, the George Washington University continues to tirelessly pursue every avenue available to resolve the situation swiftly and safely. We have offered an alternative demonstration site, requested the assistance of the DC Metropolitan Police Department, erected barriers to contain the protest, initiated academic and administrative consequences for trespassing GW students, expanded our security resources and personnel, and conducted regular and sustained dialogues with GW students connected to the camp. So far, all of these efforts have failed to end the encampment or deter the protesters from escalating the situation.

As a university, we are not equipped to single-handedly manage an unprecedented situation such as this. The GW police force is, and should only be, prepared to protect our community during normal university operations and to respond to routine and urgent incidents. When unlawful activities go beyond these limits, we must rely on the support and experience of the DC Metropolitan Police Department. At this time, the District is in communication with the university, and the DC Metropolitan Police are providing an increased security presence on and around University Yard.

I understand and fully share the deep concern many feel about the status of the protest. Many are frustrated that it is continuing; some are willing for it to proceed indefinitely. At GW, our commitment remains to regain and maintain the safety and security of University Yard, pursue accountability for those who have destroyed university property and harassed our community, and return our university to normal operations. This includes, of course, allowing and promoting the free exercise of various viewpoints and means of expression by members of our community within the limits of university policies. We continue to ask for the full support of our partners, including the District of Columbia, in pursuing these aims.
Sincerely,
Ellen M. Granberg
President

[Anonymous]

So Columbia has cancelled their large graduation ceremony. Such a sad, needless outcome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Today, around a hundred students assembled at UT, protested for a few hours, and dispersed without incident. Looks like UT has handled this the right way.

I’ll be surprised if this gets any national coverage.

https://x.com/thedailytexan/status/1787169510316818529?s=61&t=txL8mt-h7Q8BLpSNAiAzrQ

https://x.com/thedailytexan/status/1787191507725791383?s=61&t=txL8mt-h7Q8BLpSNAiAzrQ

Shame on UT for not protecting their Jewish students and letting Hamas just openly terrorize the campus.

I’ve been as critical of UCLA and Columbia as anyone for not protecting their Jewish students, but UT is drawing the line at the correct place, imo. These students have the right to speak, however offensive their speech may be. They do not have the right to “occupy” the campus and camp in tents and deny access to the campus to people who don’t share their views. The state police cleared out those who previously attempted to do this (a substantial proportion of which were not students), and they stood by today to make sure the protest did not get out of hand. In contrast to Columbia, the protestors said their piece and moved on, because they knew that further actions would not be tolerated. Columbia messed up by not reacting immediately. They kept “negotiating” and ignoring their own deadlines. Because the protestors were determined to have a confrontation, they kept having to push further and further until they did something that couldn’t be ignored. Texas took control immediately and suffered a one day media hit (that was popular in Texas) instead of letting it drag on for weeks. Now, they are allowing the students their first amendment rights, while maintaining control of their campus and protecting the rights of other students. Of course, it will be ignored by the national media.

Of course they have the right to speak. Literally nobody is arguing with you.

They do not have the right to target Jewish students, call for the genocide of all Jews, and/or support a globally recognized terrorist organization.

These “protests” are not saying, “Israel has a right to exist, and their ongoing operation designed to liberate Palestine from Hamas rule should continue, but maybe they should look at their operations and how they can better protect Palestinian civilians,” which is a 100% valid and reasonable stance.

These protestors are arguing that Israel as a country should not exist, and that all Jewish people are guilty of extreme war crimes. They are arguing for “divestment” from Israel, and removal of American aid, much of which goes towards the Iron Dome, a DEFENSIVE system that continues to save Israeli lives. Divestment would harm Israelis, not the Israeli government, while removal of funding for the Iron Dome would be a massive boon for Hamas’ genocidal actions (like 10/7) and goals.

+1000
Pretty astounding this has to be explained at all.

So the content of their speech is offensive to you and therefore should not be allowed? Only the more sanitized version you shared is ok?

Yes - when the protests get to harassing anyone, Jewish or otherwise, they have crossed from being a protest into violence and should not be tolerated.

Jewish students are not being harassed, the Muslim students are, one university had to cancel a valedictorian speech because a Jewish student group said so

Really?

Jewish groups are infamous for sending people to these protests and doing anti Semitic gestures or holding ISIS flags or saying death to America to discredit the protestors. A few were caught doing this at Columbia already.

The protestor encampments include Jewish students and groups like Jewish Voices for Peace so the anti Semitic shock value disturbances don’t make any sense . Solidarity and tolerance among different groups that people think Palestinians would oppose like JVP (Jewish Voices for Peace), BLM, LGBTQ queer groups are happening at these protests .

If this is a shock to anyone, then maybe they weren’t alive in the 1980s when Palestinians joined with South African anti apartheid movements, in the 1990s with the Ireland IrA, or 2014 when they aligned with BLM.

They know what they are doing by making social justice inroads with other groups and have been at this rodeo for a long long time (since the first intifada in the 1980s, there were college protests).

Israel and the U.S. ignored their burgeoning social justice and academia cachet for decades because nobody cares about leftist activist movements . The only way to mar them is terrorism and inflammatory language and Israel d certainly sends its bots and minions to do this

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Today, around a hundred students assembled at UT, protested for a few hours, and dispersed without incident. Looks like UT has handled this the right way.

I’ll be surprised if this gets any national coverage.

https://x.com/thedailytexan/status/1787169510316818529?s=61&t=txL8mt-h7Q8BLpSNAiAzrQ

https://x.com/thedailytexan/status/1787191507725791383?s=61&t=txL8mt-h7Q8BLpSNAiAzrQ

Shame on UT for not protecting their Jewish students and letting Hamas just openly terrorize the campus.

I’ve been as critical of UCLA and Columbia as anyone for not protecting their Jewish students, but UT is drawing the line at the correct place, imo. These students have the right to speak, however offensive their speech may be. They do not have the right to “occupy” the campus and camp in tents and deny access to the campus to people who don’t share their views. The state police cleared out those who previously attempted to do this (a substantial proportion of which were not students), and they stood by today to make sure the protest did not get out of hand. In contrast to Columbia, the protestors said their piece and moved on, because they knew that further actions would not be tolerated. Columbia messed up by not reacting immediately. They kept “negotiating” and ignoring their own deadlines. Because the protestors were determined to have a confrontation, they kept having to push further and further until they did something that couldn’t be ignored. Texas took control immediately and suffered a one day media hit (that was popular in Texas) instead of letting it drag on for weeks. Now, they are allowing the students their first amendment rights, while maintaining control of their campus and protecting the rights of other students. Of course, it will be ignored by the national media.

Of course they have the right to speak. Literally nobody is arguing with you.

They do not have the right to target Jewish students, call for the genocide of all Jews, and/or support a globally recognized terrorist organization.

These “protests” are not saying, “Israel has a right to exist, and their ongoing operation designed to liberate Palestine from Hamas rule should continue, but maybe they should look at their operations and how they can better protect Palestinian civilians,” which is a 100% valid and reasonable stance.

These protestors are arguing that Israel as a country should not exist, and that all Jewish people are guilty of extreme war crimes. They are arguing for “divestment” from Israel, and removal of American aid, much of which goes towards the Iron Dome, a DEFENSIVE system that continues to save Israeli lives. Divestment would harm Israelis, not the Israeli government, while removal of funding for the Iron Dome would be a massive boon for Hamas’ genocidal actions (like 10/7) and goals.

+1000
Pretty astounding this has to be explained at all.

So the content of their speech is offensive to you and therefore should not be allowed? Only the more sanitized version you shared is ok?

Yes - when the protests get to harassing anyone, Jewish or otherwise, they have crossed from being a protest into violence and should not be tolerated.

Jewish students are not being harassed, the Muslim students are, one university had to cancel a valedictorian speech because a Jewish student group said so

Really?

How convenient they hide their face something none of the REAL protestors do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So Columbia has cancelled their large graduation ceremony. Such a sad, needless outcome.

Incredible that the universities act helpless and don’t expel them instead . They need the money and retention rate and don’t want an admissions backlash . What a joke

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:if the protestors demand is for their colleges to divest from investments that support Israel, why don't they divest themselves by withdrawing from their university and taking their tuition dollars to a different university that invests to their liking?

+1000

Best comment on the issue right here, folks.

No, it’s a stupid comment. “Love it or leave it” is deplorable. Students have every right to protest the university investment strategy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:if the protestors demand is for their colleges to divest from investments that support Israel, why don't they divest themselves by withdrawing from their university and taking their tuition dollars to a different university that invests to their liking?

+1000

Best comment on the issue right here, folks.

No, it’s a stupid comment. “Love it or leave it” is deplorable. Students have every right to protest the university investment strategy.

DP.

While simultaneously benefitting from that strategy to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars in direct aid and scholarships, plus benefitting indirectly from facilities, activities, staff, support, etc.?

Certainly agree that they have every right to protest, but seems a bit hypocritical. Kinda like an environmental activist driving a gas-guzzling SUV.

Shouldn't these activists vote with their feet?