At the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered in solidarity with those at Columbia University. Some of them wore masks and barricaded themselves inside the building. As a result, some were arrested. Meanwhile, at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., President Alan Granberg stated that allowing the protest tent of pro-Palestinian demonstrators in the public area of the campus was against university policy. This prompted him to turn to the police for help in evacuating the complex.
On the other hand, a demonstration supporting Israel took place at Columbia University, where protesters waved US and Israeli flags and called for “return all abductees home.” This came after tense clashes on campus and amidst growing protests there. Similar riots were also reported at Emory University in Atlanta and clashes between Hamas supporters and opponents were reported at UCLA and U Penn. Anti-Israel protests were also underway at U Penn’s Philadelphia campus.
These incidents demonstrate ongoing tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which has been a contentious issue on college campuses across the country. These demonstrations involve clashes between different student groups with varying views on the situation in the Middle East. The protests highlight the complexity and polarizing nature of this conflict and challenge universities to address such issues effectively while maintaining a peaceful environment for students.