The sociopolitical climate on U.S. college campuses continues to be at the forefront of national attention as student protests continue, tensions rise, lawsuits are filed, and commencement ceremonies are disrupted.
Dr. Demetri Morgan
Over the last couple of weeks, campuses have seen a prolific eruption of student protests nationwide, many in the form of tent encampments that have subsequently faced attempts at dispersal by police in riot gear.
These protests – a wave that accelerated because of the April 17 encampment and subsequent police crackdown at Columbia University – have largely proclaimed that they are in support of Palestine and are making asks such as for a ceasefire in the region and for universities to divest from companies with ties to Israel.
Reports of police using tear gas, and zip ties to disperse and arrest demonstrators have made the rounds as universities justify requesting police intervention by citing that such encampments disrupt university operations and pose safety concerns. Colleges have threatened protesters with suspension and expulsion for refusing to dismantle their tents, conducting sit-ins, and occupying and barricading campus buildings.
More than 150 schools have seen pro-Palestinian protests on their campuses since April 17. These demonstrations have resulted in more than 2,000 arrests of students, faculty, and some people not from the schools, with Columbia having the most with 220.
Over the weekend, more than 20 protesters were arrested at the University of Virginia after police used pepper spray and riot shields to disperse those at the encampment.
There have also been questions surrounding the public university’s own policy which allow for “recreational tents,” a policy that was allegedly changed on May 4, four days after protests began on campus, one day after said protesters began pitching tents, and the same day police arrived to clear the camp out.
