Protests advocating for Palestine at prominent universities across the United States have intensified, resulting in the arrest of more than 60 demonstrators in a single day.
The fervent displays against the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza gained momentum following the apprehension of over 100 individuals at Columbia University in New York last week.
On Thursday, Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, witnessed the arrest of 28 individuals, including 20 community members, while at Indiana University, at least 33 protesters were taken into custody.
At Columbia University, the epicenter of the pro-Palestinian movement, students have pledged to continue their demonstrations until the institution severs ties with Israeli academic entities and divests from organizations linked to Israel. The protests have not been without confrontation. Georgia State Patrol officers detained 28 people at Emory University, resorting to pepper balls to disperse unruly crowds after some protesters threw objects at law enforcement personnel.
Similarly, at Indiana University, 33 individuals were arrested for refusing to dismantle their protest encampments despite repeated warnings from the police.
In response to the recent events, Palestine Legal, an organization advocating for Palestinian rights in the US, has filed a federal civil rights complaint against Columbia University, urging an investigation into the treatment of students during the mass arrests. The University of Southern California made the decision to cancel its main graduation ceremony following controversy surrounding a student valedictorian’s expression of support for Palestinians.
Meanwhile, Northeastern University in Boston and the University of California, Los Angeles, have witnessed fresh protests, with students forming human chains and chanting anti-war slogans.
The escalation of protests has led to calls for resignation from university leaders, including Columbia University president Minouche Shafik. Nearly 550 arrests have been reported at major US universities over the past week in connection with the ongoing pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
