Yale Arrests Pro-Palestinian Protesters
Dozens of individuals were detained by law enforcement at a pro-Palestinian gathering at Yale University on Monday, shortly after Columbia University made the decision to switch to virtual classes in response to protesters setting up encampments on its New York City campus last week.
Footage shared on social media showed demonstrators blocking traffic around Yale’s campus in New Haven, Connecticut, calling for the school to divest from military weapons manufacturers. More than 45 protestors were arrested by police, as reported by the Yale Daily News. Yale University officials did not provide a comment.
Protests at various university campuses nationwide, including Yale and Columbia, were sparked by the recent escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict following the deadly incident on October 7 initiated by Hamas Islamist militants and Israel’s subsequent response in the Gaza enclave controlled by Hamas.
Since October 7, human rights advocates have observed a rise in bias and hate crimes targeting Jews, Arabs, and Muslims. With the Jewish holiday of Passover beginning on Monday, there was heightened concern.
Columbia President Nemat Minouche Shafik announced in an email to staff and students on Monday the transition to online teaching to deescalate tensions and allow time for reflection on future steps.
Shafik had called in the New York Police last week to disband a tent encampment set up by protesters on Columbia’s main lawn demanding divestment from Israel-related investments. The action was criticized by some faculty members, but the school maintained that the encampment was against regulations. Over 100 students from Columbia and Barnard College were arrested for trespassing. Several students involved in the protests were suspended.
Shafik expressed concern about the presence of non-Columbia individuals on campus exacerbating tensions between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel groups. The NYPD has increased patrols around Columbia’s campus to address the confrontations.
Students who participated in the encampment have held prayers and speeches denouncing Israel, supporting Palestine, and highlighting armed resistance. Similar pro-Palestinian encampments were spotted at Emerson College and Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge.
President Joe Biden condemned antisemitism and pledged to protect the Jewish community, while Mayor Eric Adams expressed disgust at the antisemitic behavior near Columbia University.
Organizers from the Columbia encampment disputed claims of antisemitism and emphasized their rejection of hate and bigotry. They demanded divestment from corporations profiting from Israeli actions in Gaza, transparency in financial investments, and amnesty for disciplined students and faculty advocating for Palestinian liberation.
Shafik urged protesters to engage in dialogue and not disrupt significant events such as the upcoming commencement on May 15.
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