Hundreds of students in the United States have been arrested in violent protests against Israel’s war on Gaza.
Pro-Palestinian students across the country have set up encampments, calling for institutions to divest from companies with any ties to Israel, and cease their investments in companies and weapons manufacturers.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) reported over 300 student arrests overnight in a raid on New York’s Columbia University and the City College of New York, after clearing out campsites and occupied buildings.
The City University of New York (CUNY) said in a statement they are continuing to inspect damage caused to many City College buildings when the protests and encampments began on Tuesday night.
“During preliminary cleanup, public safety officers uncovered chains, flares, bolt cutters, and box cutters in three bags left by the protesters in the building. We have not yet determined the cost of repairs,” it said.
The NYPD also arrested 15 students yesterday from the Campus of Fordham University Lincoln Center. Police removed campers and arrested 17 people at the University of Texas at Dallas campus on Wednesday evening. It is unclear if those arrested were students.
These violent protests began back on April 17 at Columbia University in New York, where a small group camped out in protest of military action in Gaza. The group called for their institution to take action and divest from companies that are in support of Israel.
Since then, hundreds of student protests have spread across the US, with the campus protests movement making its way to Australian universities. The Gaza Solidarity Camp has set up encampment protests on the grounds of Sydney University for the past week.
In an interview with the ABC, rally organiser Shovan Bhattarai said that they were inspired by the protests in US universities.
“All of us were very much glued to our Twitter feeds as soon as the Columbia University students started their protesting encampment,” she said.
Similarly to Sydney University, Melbourne University has set up an encampment asking when their institution will “stop turning a blind eye and funding the genocide of their fellow academics”.
Photo: by SWinxy is available HERE and is used under a Creative Commons Licence. This image has not been modified.
