Demonstrators and police officers clashed at the University of Texas as protests erupted at various universities across the United States, including ongoing demonstrations at Columbia University.
The protests centre around the Israel-Hamas conflict, with demonstrators advocating for Palestinian rights and calling for their universities to divest from Israel.
The tensions have also led to accusations of antisemitism and made some Jewish students feel unsafe on campus.
Similar protests have spread to Europe, with pro-Palestinian demonstrators occupying spaces at the Sorbonne university in France and several universities in Canada.
At the University of Texas, tensions escalated as police arrested dozens of protesters, leading to confrontations between officers and demonstrators.
Columbia University faced a deadline for protesters to clear an encampment, with the threat of suspension for those who refused to comply. The university cited disruptions to teaching and exam preparations as reasons for the deadline. However, many protesters remained defiant, resulting in ongoing tensions on the campus.
The handling of the protests at Columbia University has sparked complaints, including a class-action lawsuit from Jewish students alleging a breach of contract and concerns about safety.
Meanwhile, a legal group representing pro-Palestinian students is calling for an investigation into the university’s compliance with civil rights laws.
Other universities, such as Northwestern University, have reached agreements with protesters to allow peaceful demonstrations while also setting guidelines for the removal of encampments.
At the University of Southern California, protesters met with university officials to discuss their concerns, including recent controversies surrounding commencement speeches and honorary degrees.
Despite efforts by administrators to salvage commencement ceremonies and clear encampments, standoffs continue at various universities across the country, with students vowing to remain steadfast in their demands.
Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi
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