Columbia University retracted ultimatum for pro-Palestinian demonstrators amidst US tensions. Police used force at universities. Debates on free speech intensified. Student Skyler Sieradsky expressed fear as a Jew in America due to messages of hate and violence.
Authorities confirmed that police forces conducted widespread arrests, employing chemical irritants and tasers to disperse protests at several universities. Reports emerged of clashes between riot officers and demonstrators, with Emory University in Atlanta witnessing a particularly intense confrontation.
“The talks have shown progress and are continuing as planned,” the statement issued at 11 pm said. “We have our demands; they have theirs,” it added.
While Columbia University denied inviting New York City police onto its campus, allegations of excessive force fueled by demonstrators persisted. Students, like Mimi, voiced frustration over what they perceived as disproportionate responses to peaceful protests.
“They call us terrorists, they call us violent. But… they’re the ones that called in the police when students were sitting in a circle,” she said.
“The police are the ones with guns, the police are the ones with tasers, we only have our voices,” she added.
The demonstrations, rooted in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, have sparked debates about free speech and campus safety. Pro-Israel groups raised concerns about anti-Semitic incidents, while demonstrators emphasized their stance against hate speech and violence.
AFP reported Skyler Sieradsky, a 21-year-old student of philosophy and political science at George Washington University saying “I’ve never felt more scared to be a Jew in America right now.”
“There are students and faculty standing by messages of hate, and standing by messages that call for violence,” Sieradsky added.