More than 400 arrests in nine days in pro-Palestinian university protests in the US

The wave of pro-Palestinian university protests organized throughout the United States, has already resulted in more than 400 people arrestedincluding faculty members.

The New York University of Columbia and Emerson College of Boston top the list of arrest numbers compiled by the ‘New York Times’, with 108 arrests each since last April 17. Almost a hundred arrests have also occurred at the University of Southern California (Los Angeles), and dozens more in Texas, Indiana or Minnesota.

Other illustrious academic centers in the country, such as Harvard, Cornell, Berkeley or the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT, have also hosted these protest camps. At Columbia University, the protest, in the form of a massive encampment, will continue at least for the next few hours, after the dean’s office decided to suspend its ultimatum to the participants, who had until midnight from this past Thursday to Friday to clear the place.

In a statement published just one hour before the ultimatum expired, the president of the University, Minouche Shafik, indicated that “there is a formal negotiation process” with the conveners that “is still underway.” “We have our demands, they have theirs,” she added.

The University of Los Angeles announced yesterday the suspension of this year’s graduation ceremony due to the prevailing tension.

The UN calls the reaction against protesters “hysteria”

The UN special rapporteur for freedom of expression issues, Irene Khanhas criticized the “hysteria” in the United States against the recent pro-Palestinian demonstrations on the country’s university campuses, and has assured that the right to protest is being infringed after hundreds of detainees.

“Legitimate speech must be protected but, unfortunately, there is a hysteria that is taking over the United States,” Khan said during an interview with the UN news portal, referring to the forced resignations of the rectors of numerous universities in the country after being accused of allowing anti-Semitic speeches and actions, in reference to the aforementioned protests.

Khan has asked not to mix hate speech “with criticism of Israel as a political entity and as a State”, and has expressed that “criticizing Israel is perfectly legitimate under International Law.”

Political reactions

The situation is such that this week political figures such as the president of the country have spoken out, Joe Biden, who last Monday simultaneously reproached both “the anti-Semitic protests” and also “those who do not understand what is happening with the Palestinians.” The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahuhas described them as “anti-Semitic.”

The US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinkenpointed out this Friday in Beijing that he understands very well “the frustration of the students”, and has said “respect” their right to demonstrate“it is a hallmark of our democracy.”

The Republican candidate for the White House and former president of the country, donald trumphas adopted a openly hostile line against the protesters and their concentrations, which he has even compared as infinitely more dangerous than the far-right marches of 2017 in Charlottesville (Virginia).

The president of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdoganhas described this Friday as “fascist” the response of the authorities of the United States to the protests. “We have seen how those who have lectured us for years about democracy and freedom of expression and assembly suddenly become fascists when it comes to Israel and its interests,” the Turkish president noted.