Voices of Dissent: Unpacking the Recent Wave of University Protests
By: Faustina Canika Zhu
Edited by: Ananya Sachidanandan
‘We must be impatient for change,” - Claudia Flores
In the past month, widespread protests, encampments and walkouts have been taking place in over 140 US universities, with similar protests quickly spreading to over 25 more countries. The first protest began about a month ago at Columbia University, rapidly expanding to universities in 45 states, including Harvard and NYU from the Northwest region, UCLA and UC Berkeley from the West Coast, along with the University of North Carolina and Virginia Tech from The South.
The demonstrations were held by pro-Palestinian students over the war in Gaza, with an aim for their school to financially divest from companies and groups complicit in supporting Israel by ending business relationships with Israeli companies and cutting ties with institutions from Israel. Student protestors believe that universities that have relationships with Israeli institutions are contributing to the current war in Gaza. The protests aim to show widespread support for all Palestinians, raising awareness for the social injustices and promoting human rights.
In response to the protests, universities have delivered mixed responses. Some managed to strike agreements - Northwestern has said it will provide ‘a conduit to engagement with the Investment Committee of the Board of Trustees’ including staff, faculty and students. Brown University agreed on a divestment vote amongst all students for the removal of tents set up for demonstrations. However, Harvard University has threatened students with refusing to allow them to sit their exams and provide housing if they will not put a stop to their protests, enforcing an ‘involuntary leave’.
Over 2800 people have been arrested or detained as a result of the protests over 130 Universities in the US since April 18.
As a result of the demonstrations, various negative impacts have been faced by students in universities. One example is the cancellation of major commencement ceremonies for graduating students at both the University of Southern California, and Columbia University which canceled its university-wide commencement ceremony. The White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said “It's unfortunate that a small group of people went too far and cost their classmates this important event.”
Conversation has been sparked about the validity of these punishments, especially in private universities such as Columbia and Harvard. Supporters of the students argue that they are simply using their voice to express their views on the campus they are paying to live on. Protests that have been slightly disruptive are the ones that create most change as they get people's attention, for example, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Stonewall Riots. However a common critique of the protestors is that a university campus is not where protests should be occurring as it is a place for learning.
As of publication, the protests, ones that began with very few students in one university in America, have spread across the world. Many universities have heard their students' pleas for change and have taken considerable action, however several other universities have made it harder for their students to protest. Universities strive to create environments where young adults can grow and ignite change. But they are refusing to allow them to use their voice. So, you must use yours. Go to protests, donate to fundraisers, and don’t stop talking about Palestine.