US: 282 protesters arrested from Columbia University and City College, were protesting against Israel
Due to the ongoing war between Gaza and Israel, tensions are increasing in America. Protests are taking place on American university campuses. Large scale arrests of people involved in protests are being made in New York. According to media reports, New York City’s NYPD said that about 282 people have been arrested from Tuesday night to Wednesday morning at Columbia University and City College of New York.
Earlier, the police removed the students who had been occupying Columbia University’s Hamilton Hall since April 30. This hall was earlier known for the ongoing struggles against racial discrimination. However, it is now being called Hinds Hall, which reminds of Hind Rajab. Hind Rajab was a six-year-old girl who was killed along with her family by Israeli forces in Gaza. Columbia University student and journalist Meghnad Bose was an eyewitness to the police action. He said that I myself saw how the police dispersed those demonstrations. The students were arrested.
In the case, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that the President is being regularly updated about the events across the country. He is closely monitoring the situation. No other president has spoken so strongly about fighting anti-Semitism as President Biden.
Does the President support the action?
Responding to the question whether President Biden supports the police action in New York and other college campuses, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that Americans have the right to protest peacefully. As long as the protest is within the law. Forcibly occupying a building is not peaceful. Students also have the right to feel safe.
Protests erupted in many places
Northwestern University entered into an agreement with students and teachers to allow peaceful protests till June 1. In return, a condition was put to remove all tents except one for assistance. A 90-minute sit-in was held at the University of Southern California. There was also a deadlock at Harvard, Yale, Pennsylvania University. Fierce clashes took place between police and protesters at Virginia Commonwealth University.
White House condemned
In a video, an Indian-origin student is seen protesting at Columbia University and she is raising slogans like ‘Azadi, le ke rahenge azadi’. Similar slogans were heard in Indian universities a few years ago. The White House expressed displeasure over these protests going on in universities. When President Joe Biden was asked about this, he said that I strongly condemn these protests against the Jews. I also condemn those who do not understand what is happening in Palestine.
