The Wild and destructive Pro Palestinian protests are changing the face of the west and Europe.

Recently, Columbia University has seen intense activity with a pro-Palestine protest leading to a significant police response. Over 100 protesters were arrested as New York City police cleared an encampment at the university. This encampment was part of a series of protests against Israel’s military actions in Gaza. The protesters, who had set up numerous tents on campus, were described as peaceful even during the police action, which involved the NYPD using zip ties and detaining students with summonses for trespassing. 

The university administration, led by President Nemat Shafik, justified the police intervention by citing violations of university policies against unauthorized demonstrations and disruptions to campus activities. The situation escalated quickly with substantial NYPD presence and the physical removal of tents and other protester materials. The response has sparked further demonstrations and significant discussion about the limits of protest and free speech on campus. 

Notably, among those arrested and subsequently suspended were students from both Columbia and its affiliated Barnard College, including prominent individuals like Isra Hirsi, who is the daughter of U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar. This has added a layer of political visibility to the incident, increasing media and public attention on the university’s actions and policies regarding protest and student activism. 

The protests and the university’s response are reminiscent of historical campus activism, drawing comparisons to the significant student-led protests of the past, and they highlight ongoing tensions regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict on college campuses across the United States.