Amid ongoing pro-Palestinian anti-war protests across university campuses in the United States, it has been reported that approximately 2,500 students have been arrested.
According to major foreign media on the 5th (local time), about 50 campuses nationwide have held protests since the 18th of last month. At some university campuses, police entered to disperse protesters and dismantle encampments.
Additionally, at some universities, large-scale graduation ceremonies were held under tight security, heightening tensions, but fortunately, no major clashes or arrests occurred. According to The New York Times (NYT) and the Associated Press (AP), on that day, protest tents at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles (LA) were dismantled, and dozens of students protesting there were expelled from the campus.
USC is one of the campuses where protests have been most intense nationwide. Previously, 93 students were arrested during anti-war protests, and the demonstrations have continued since then.
The university faced backlash after canceling the speech of the Muslim valedictorian representative citing safety concerns, and due to escalating protests, the entire graduation ceremony, including speeches by external speakers, was canceled.
At the University of Michigan’s graduation ceremony held the day before, about 75 people wearing kuffiyehs (black-and-white checkered scarves) along with their caps held Palestinian flags and staged a "surprise protest."
At Indiana University’s graduation, students shouted "Free Palestine" during President Pamela Whitten’s speech and were escorted out, while at the University of Virginia, police dispersed protesters and arrested 25 people.
Meanwhile, there are also allegations of external forces intervening in these protests. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that "the anti-Israel protests were the result of left-wing groups and long-time activists training, planning, and encouraging students for months."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
