After anti-Israel protests erupted at Columbia University, UC Berkeley, and Yale, activist groups at the University of California-Los Angeles, the University of Texas at Austin, and Johns Hopkins University have been inspired to lead their own resistance movements. Pro-Palestinian factions at these universities have announced plans to hold protests on April 24 in solidarity with Gaza and the fight for divestment from Israel. These protests come after similar demonstrations at other universities, such as the University of Maryland- College Park, Vanderbilt University, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
The protesters are calling for an end to the fighting in the region, which has resulted in significant civilian casualties in Gaza. Students for Justice in Palestine at UCLA have criticized their university for prioritizing profit and reputation over Palestinian lives, and are determined to force their administration to divest from Israel. In Austin, Texas, the Palestinian Solidarity Committee is urging students to walk out of class and occupy the South Lawn in support of Gaza, following the example of other universities across the nation.
Protests and walkouts have been organized at the top five U.S. universities, including Princeton, MIT, Harvard, Stanford, and Yale. These protests have been ongoing, with a surge in activity following the April 17, 2024, Columbia University protests. At least half of the top 50 U.S. universities have experienced anti-Israel protests in the past week, indicating a widespread and organized resistance movement on college campuses across the country.
The Hopkins Justice Collective, the Palestinian Solidarity Committee, and other activist groups are mobilizing students to join the resistance against Israel and support the people of Gaza. These protests reflect a growing trend of solidarity and activism on college campuses, with students calling for justice and liberation for Palestine. The demonstrations are part of a larger movement for divestment and awareness about the ongoing conflict in the region.
As tensions escalate and more universities become the targets of anti-Israel protests, schools in California, Texas, and Maryland are bracing for potential unrest and mayhem on their campuses. The demonstrations are a response to the violence and conflict in Gaza, and a call for divestment from Israel in solidarity with the Palestinian people. Activist groups are using social media to organize and mobilize students for these protests, in the hopes of bringing attention to the issue and pressuring universities to take action in support of Gaza and the fight against Israeli occupation.
