Northwestern University has reached a deal with anti-Israel protesters that has sparked concern from many about the conditions of the agreement. The agreement will curb protest activity in exchange for the reestablishment of an advisory committee on university investments and other commitments. Some protesters condemned the deal as a failure to stick to the original demands, while some supporters of Israel viewed it as a “cowardly” capitulation to the protesters.
One of Northwestern’s professors, Zayd Ayers Dohrn, has ties to a history of terror. He is the son of former radical terrorist group leader Bernardine Rae Dohrn and Bill Ayers, who led a group responsible for terrorist bombings in Washington, D.C., and other locations. Zayd is a writer, professor, and director at Northwestern University, and he hosts a podcast detailing his upbringing by parents involved in a radical terrorist group. The group, known as the Weather Underground, carried out bombings in the 1960s and 70s to protest the Vietnam War and support left-wing causes.
The Weather Underground, led by Zayd’s parents, targeted locations such as the Pentagon, the U.S. Capitol, and the State Department, among others, in their bombings. The group was involved in the deaths of individuals as a result of their actions, including planting a pipe bomb at the San Francisco Police Department that killed one person. Zayd’s mother, Bernardine Dohrn, expressed regrets about not being more militant during that time, indicating their commitment to their cause despite the harm caused by their actions.
Bill Ayers, Zayd’s father and a former Weather Underground member, was associated with former President Barack Obama and served with him on a Chicago charity’s board. Ayers’ ties to Obama were disputed during the 2008 presidential race, and he retired from his position as a professor in 2010. Northwestern’s agreement with protesters allows for continued protests until June 1, with restrictions on tent use, participation by non-Northwestern individuals, and use of loudspeakers without school permission. Penalties, including suspension, will be enforced for students who do not comply with the terms of the agreement.
Other universities, such as Brown University, have implemented similar agreements with protesters to control protest activity on campuses. Northwestern University’s President, Provost, and Vice President for Student Affairs released a statement affirming that the agreement represents a de-escalated path forward that enhances safety while allowing for free expression in compliance with university rules and policies. The terms of the agreement aim to provide space for dialogue while maintaining a safe environment for all members of the university community.
Overall, the agreement between Northwestern University and anti-Israel protesters has raised concerns about the conditions and implications of the deal. Zayd Ayers Dohrn’s ties to a history of terror through his parents’ involvement in the Weather Underground bring additional scrutiny to the situation. The restrictions outlined in the agreement aim to balance free expression with maintaining a safe environment on campus, with penalties in place for those who do not adhere to the terms of the agreement. Similar agreements at other universities indicate a broader trend in how institutions are addressing protests and demonstrations on campus.
