Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein was arrested at Washington University in St. Louis as students continued to protest the Israel-Palestine war on college campuses across the United States. More than 80 arrests were made after students, employees, and others marched to campus locations, pitched tents, and indicated they did not intend to leave. Stein, along with two of her campaign managers, was among those arrested while supporting the protest against the university’s ties to the conflict in Gaza. Students have been demanding their schools cut financial ties to Israel and divest from companies profiting from the conflict, which has resulted in the deaths of thousands of Palestinians.
The protests on college campuses have been in solidarity with the students at Columbia University, where over 100 students were arrested after police removed an encampment on campus. Other universities have also shut down student encampments and arrested demonstrators. Some Jewish students have accused the protests of veering into antisemitism, while others, including many Jewish student organizers, have refuted these allegations. The protests erupted after Hamas’ attack on southern Israel in which 1,200 people were killed and 250 were taken hostage.
Washington University released a statement saying that the protesters had entered the campus with the intent to cause disruption. The demonstration escalated as protesters attempted to set up a camp in violation of university policy. University officials asked everyone to leave, and more than 80 individuals were arrested when they refused to comply. These individuals could face charges of trespassing, resisting arrest, and assault according to the university. However, Megan Green, president of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen and a university adjunct professor, disputed the university’s account, saying the protests were calm until police intervened.
The campus protests have spread to colleges across the U.S. and abroad, with students demanding divestment from companies profiting from the Israel-Palestine conflict. The demonstrations aim to bring attention to the ongoing violence in Gaza and advocate for an end to the genocide occurring in the region. Some students believe that the universities’ financial ties to Israel indirectly support the violence against Palestinians, leading to calls for divestment and protests on college campuses.
Jill Stein’s arrest at Washington University in St. Louis brought attention to the student protests against the Israel-Palestine war. The protests, which have led to numerous arrests on college campuses, have been a response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. While some Jewish students have raised concerns about antisemitism in the protests, others are actively involved in organizing and leading the demonstrations. The university’s response to the protests has been controversial, with some disputing the narrative that the protests were disruptive and calling into question the actions of law enforcement in handling the situation.
