As the academic year draws to a close, college campuses have become hotbeds of activism once again, with recent pro-Palestinian demonstrations leading to numerous arrests at various institutions. While these protests are smaller and more dispersed compared to last springโwhen over 2,100 arrests were reportedโthe pressure and stakes have increased significantly.
The administration under President Donald Trump is keenly examining how colleges handle these protests, with a particular focus on accusations of antisemitism. The stakes are heightened by the administrationโs decision to withhold federal grant money as leverage, compelling institutions to adopt stricter activism policies.
The demands of the protests are similar to those of the previous year, largely focusing on severing university ties with Israel or companies supplying arms or support to the country. A notable protest at Columbia University saw demonstrators demand divestment from what they described as โoccupation, apartheid, and genocide,โ along with calls for amnesty for disciplined students and workers. This protest resulted in the arrest of approximately 80 individuals and appealed for the exclusion of police and immigration officials from campus grounds.
Earlier, at the University of Washington, protesters urged the institution to cut ties with Boeing, a firm supplying military equipment to Israeli forces. The protest included demands to return any donations from Boeing and prevent its employees from becoming school instructors, leading to 30 arrests.
Other colleges like Swarthmore, Rutgers, UCLA, and Brooklyn College have also witnessed similar demonstrations. The timing of these incidents correlates with recent developments in the Israel-Palestine conflict and the academic calendarโs end, according to Robert Cohen, a history professor at NYU. Cohen points out that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahuโs comments on escalating the war have likely invigorated activists already concerned about the humanitarian situation in Palestine.
Despite the fervor, Cohen notes that recent protests are reminiscent of those seen before the Israel-Hamas war, largely due to newly imposed stringent campus rules that deter many potential participants.
A delicate balancing act confronts colleges today. Mishandling protests can lead to the loss of critical federal research funding. The Trump administrationโs scrutiny has been particularly intense on institutions like Columbia and Harvard, with some accused of not adequately addressing campus antisemitism.
The government has also signaled demands for stricter protest rules and modifications aimed at curbing pro-Palestinian activities, alongside broader diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. The University of Washington protest prompted a federal antisemitism task force to announce a review, urging campus authorities to ensure necessary preventative measures.
For international students, the stakes involve potential deportation due to associations with pro-Palestinian activism, thus increasing anxiety for many.
Colleges have responded with stricter enforcement measures. Columbia University swiftly suspended 65 students and banned 33 others from campus following recent protests. This response was lauded by the Trump administrationโs task force for the institutionโs decisive actions. Columbia had previously enacted changes under federal pressure, such as prohibiting face masks and empowering public safety officers with arrest capabilities.
Similarly, the University of Washingtonโs protest led to the suspension of 21 students, demonstrating that colleges are adopting a more aggressive stance in handling campus activism.