Protests Escalate across US As Demonstrators Target University Trustees (+Video)
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Demonstrators took to the streets outside the residences of Columbia University trustees, while police intervened in Chicago to disband an encampment, marking a surge of nationwide protests amidst heightened tensions over Israel's war on Gaza.
In Chicago, authorities conducted a pre-dawn raid at 4:40 a.m. Tuesday, dismantling an encampment that had stood for eight days at the University of Chicago's main quad. Video footage captured officers clad in riot gear tearing down posters and removing tents, as confirmed by school officials.
University President Paul Alivisatos, in a statement, noted the absence of arrests but indicated potential disciplinary actions, citing mounting safety concerns as rationale for the encampment's dissolution.
Meanwhile, protests extended beyond campuses, with students in New York rallying outside the homes and offices of Columbia University's board of trustees. Accusations were leveled at trustee David Greenwald for the institution's support of Israel, with demonstrators linking him to the NYPD's recent intervention on campus.
A large crowd of pro-Palestinian demonstrators flooded Union Square on Tuesday, then marched up Sixth Avenue. The demonstration has so far appeared to remain peaceful, but police did take some people into custody.
The demonstrations, part of a broader wave of protests, have gained momentum since Columbia's initiation of student protests last month. Amid these events, Columbia University announced the cancellation of its main commencement in favor of smaller ceremonies.
Echoing sentiments across the nation, Sueda Polat, a graduate student and former protest negotiator at Columbia, affirmed the resolve of demonstrators to persist, even as campus closures loom.
Similar scenes unfolded at Harvard University, where over 400 protesters gathered outside President Alan M. Garber's residence in response to his refusal to engage with encampment protesters on campus.
In Massachusetts, at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), pro-Palestinian protesters continued their encampment despite warnings of disciplinary action from university officials. Chancellor Melissa Nobles confirmed ongoing suspensions and referrals, highlighting the complexity of the situation.
University President Sally Kornbluth emphasized the need for resolution, acknowledging the challenges ahead as protests persist.
