The American site "Axios" reported that authorities arrested over 2,900 people during pro-Palestinian protests regarding Gaza, which occurred at least across 59 university campuses in the United States over recent weeks. Police arrested 33 demonstrators at George Washington University early Wednesday morning, after protests became "more disruptive," according to the D.C. Police Chief, Pamela Smith, at a press conference.
At the University of Massachusetts Amherst, police arrested about 130 demonstrators on Tuesday evening after they refused to dismantle their camp, as confirmed by a university spokesperson to Axios. Likewise, at the University of California, San Diego, police arrested 64 demonstrators on Monday while dismantling the pro-Palestinian camp on campus.
New York Police arrested 13 demonstrators at New York University last Friday, according to a New York Police spokesperson for Axios. The police reported that 210 people were arrested at the University of California, Los Angeles, while nearly 300 people were detained at Columbia University and City College of New York last week.
Demonstrators at Columbia University now face the risk of expulsion if they continue to protest after the university's deadline set for April 29.
The University of Southern California was the first major educational institution to cancel a graduation ceremony in response to protests after a valedictorian speech supporting Palestinians was canceled. In Houston University, which witnessed smaller-scale protests, administration emphasized its commitment to promoting learning with encouragement for freedom of inquiry and expression, according to university spokesperson Kevin Quinn.
Temple University's spokesperson, Deirdre Childress-Hopkins, stated: "We will continue to implement our policies that support peaceful protest to ensure that all members of our community can engage in dialogue and activities in a safe and respectful manner."
The war in Gaza has sparked protests in the United States, calling for a ceasefire in the Palestinian territory and for universities to cease their dealings with Israel. Students are protesting against the military operation conducted by Israel in Gaza, which health authorities in the region state has resulted in the deaths of approximately 35,000 people, mostly women and children.
This military campaign followed an attack launched by Hamas, designated as a terrorist organization in the United States and other countries, on Israel on October 7, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people, the majority of whom were civilians, including women and children.
