🗞️ #057 | Tents, Protests, and Disruptions: The Growing Trend of Anti-Israel Campus Protests Across America
All of the above the fold 📰 stories of the week to keep you in the know
It’s FRIDAY, April 25!
If you’ve noticed that I went silent on IG, it’s because I dropped my phone in the pool; now there is a blank white screen. I don’t have high hopes that it will come back to life. It’s sitting in rice, so time will tell. But if you don’t hear from me you know it’s because I have to get a new phone.
Her is the ironic part. I have made several attempts to login to IG and other apps on my laptop, but they keep texting security codes to my phone, which I cannot access.
On the same day I also hit a curb and ripped a hole in my tire. So, all in all, it’s been a great week.
Scanning the headlines
🌟 Feature Story: 🌟 Tents, Protests, and Disruptions: The Growing Trend of Anti-Israel Campus Protests Across America
From Columbia to Harvard, university campuses across the U.S. are seeing a wave of anti-Israel protests that have escalated tensions and sparked concerns about anti-Semitism. These protests, ignited by calls for university divestment from Israel-linked companies, have evolved into widespread encampments, drawing criticism for their intensity and the hostility towards Jewish students.
The unrest is not confined to Columbia alone; it is a growing phenomenon at other prestigious universities like NYU, Yale, and Harvard. It has led to clashes with law enforcement and raised serious questions about campus safety and freedom of speech.
🔍 More Stories to Scan 🔍
🎭 ⚖️ Trump’s Trial Unfolds in the Heart of New York. In an unprecedented moment in American politics, Donald J. Trump, former President and current Republican presidential nominee, finds himself in the throes of a criminal trial right in the heart of New York City. 👥🗣 The jury has been selected, and witnesses have begun to testify. Key testimonies, like that of David Pecker, the former chairman of American Media Inc. (AMI), focused on "catch-and-kill" schemes. The importance of Pecker's testimony in the case is not completely clear yet, but the prosecution seems pretty interested in it. Meanwhile, Trump isn't just sitting quietly; he's using every moment to campaign and fire back at his critics, ensuring the Trump show goes on. 🚫📢 And let's not forget the gag order, which Trump views as violating his free speech. Is this trial "lawfare" or a genuine pursuit of justice? What do you think?
🫃🏃♀️Title IX Transformation, Safeguarding or Undermining Women's Rights? Title IX, a cornerstone of educational equality, is being radically redefined under the Biden administration—eliminating its original intent. Aimed at expanding protect🚨ions for LGBTQ+ students and protecting sexual assault victims, these changes instead eliminate due process by eliminating essential safeguards like live hearings and cross-examinations in sexual misconduct cases on campuses. The new rules also encroach on women’s sports and gender-specific spaces. As these new rules unfold, they threaten to dismantle the very framework designed to protect and empower women, leaving their opportunities, privacy, and safety in jeopardy.
🚨 Harvey Weinstein's Conviction Overturned. Hold onto your hats! The New York Court of Appeals has just flipped the script on Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction with a nail-biting 4-3 vote. The court found fault in the trial judge’s decision to include testimonies about uncharged allegations against Weinstein, leading to the overturning of his conviction. But he is staying put in jail thanks to a separate 16-year sentence from LA. But the Manhattan DA? They’re not backing down, prepping for a dramatic legal rematch.
🚨 TikTok Takedown? Biden Signs Ban! 🕒 In a striking move for national security, President Joe Biden has signed the "No TikTok on American Networks Act" (NTANA), giving TikTok's Chinese parent company, ByteDance, just 90 days to either sell the app to a U.S. buyer or see it vanish from American shores. Amidst cheers for data privacy protections, critics warn of potential government overreach and harsh internet regulations. Also packaged in the deal? A whopping $95 billion foreign aid package aimed at bolstering Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan against global threats. Will ByteDance comply or challenge the order? ⏳📲
🇺🇸💔 Mexican Illegal Immigrant Arrested for Sexually Assaulting Two Young Girls in Home Invasion. In a disturbing breach of peace and safety, Miguel Hernandez-Ruiz, a 25-year-old illegal immigrant, faces serious charges after allegedly invading a home and assaulting two young girls under the age of 13 at the Sweet Lake Manufactured Housing and Camping Resort Community in Sturgis, Michigan. Hernandes-Ruiz was in the U.S. illegally after his legal work permit expired back in December 2021. He is currently being held without bond and flagged by an immigration detainer.
In Case You Missed It:
Biden's Title IX Rewrite: Forcing a Political Agenda at the Expense of Women
Also this…
This is the way
Could things be looking up for Trump?
This headline makes me chuckle
It’s not looking good for the king
My favorite thing this week
🇺🇸 Don't just scan the surface of today's news 👀 📰—dive deeper with Above the Fold!
But here's the deal: While anyone can catch a scan, only paid subscribers get the full story along with snarky comments, detailed analysis, and content like links, videos, and social media posts.
Want in? Subscribe today!
🗞️ Tents, Protests, and Disruptions: The Growing Trend of Anti-Israel Campus Protests Across America
Have you seen what has been happening at Columbia and other universities across the U.S.? Small tent encampments have sprung up on college campuses; interestingly, the tents are all new and the same as they are being funded, interesting. The reason for these tent occupations on college campuses is the Israel-Hamas war. But they aren’t demanding for the release of hostages and for Hamas to leave Gaza alone. Oh no, these are anti-Israel protests. According to them, Israel is “the drama,” not the terrorist organization Hamas.
So, What Set it Off?
It all kicked off when some Columbia students called for the university to divest from companies linked to Israel. This call to action quickly grew into the "Gaza Solidarity Encampment" protest on the south lawn, with students pitching tents (not that kind of tent 😏) faster than you can say "camp out." And although the protests led to the suspension and arrest of dozens of students, these kids, with no jobs and too much free time on their hands, were back at it in less than 24 hours, setting up camp again like it was nothing
Five days into the protest, things got even more heated when protestors formed a human chain to stop Jewish students from stepping into their own "autonomous zone" on campus. The university administration shifted classes to remote-only to ensure the safety and well-being of the campus community from these "peaceful protests."
Also, pay close attention to the guy leading the chant. If you can’t see him, watch closer here. Let me emphasize that this is the organizer of the anti-Israel protests at Columbia.
What do They Want?
As is to be expected from any good professional protest, there is a wishlist: withdrawing all university investments from anything Israel-related, shining a light on where the university’s money goes, and getting a free pass on any disciplinary action for shouting their cause.
The University’s Response?
President Minouche Shafik and Columbia's administration are attempting to stand their ground and imposed a deadline for the protesters to dismantle their encampment, citing safety concerns and the need to maintain academic integrity. However, it looks like the students are running a rough shot, considering the university felt compelled to shift to online classes.
In response to President Shafik's demand, the Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD) coalition, one of the principal organizers of the protests, took their lunchbox and said that they were not going to engage in further negotiations with the university. But they just might consider coming back to the table if they got a note promising the NYPD or the National Guard would not be called on the students.
President Shafik said okay, and negotiations continued. However, she extended the deadline by 48 hours into the early hours of Friday. The students agreed to some of the university's top demands, including reducing the number of tents and ensuring that protesters not affiliated with Columbia would leave the campus.
Faculty Involvement
You would be wrong if you thought this was only a student event. Over 100 Columbina faculty members decided to link arms in solidarity with the student protestors at the encampment. They even abandoned their classes to stand in solidarity with protesters who had been arrested and to protest the university's decision to suspend some of the students. These people are cos-playing the 1960’s civil rights protests.
It’s Spreading
It turns out Columbia’s not the only stage for this drama; it’s catching on at other big-name schools like NYU, Yale, and Harvard, with some visits from the po-po.
But Texas, being Texas, is playing a different tune, responding quickly to anti-Israel student protests organized by the Palestine Solidarity Committee at the University of Texas at Austin. Governor Greg Abbott called in state troopers at the first hint of protest, rounding up over 20 demonstrators. However, many point out that Abbot has overstepped, pointing to an X post and an executive order calling Universities to police speech.
There are currently anti-Israel protests and encampments occurring at:
Columbia University in New York City
University of Texas
Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut
University of California, Berkeley
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
University of Minnesota
University of Pittsburgh
University of Rochester in New York
Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts
New York University (NYU)
Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Instances of Anti-Semitism
But these "mostly peaceful protests" (famous last words) have coincided with an alarming spike in anti-Semitic incidents. To no one's surprise, the "demonstrations" have been used to not just express anti-Israel sentiments but also anti-Semitism, leading to significant distress and fear among Jewish students.
For example, at Yale University, a Jewish student, Sahar Tartak, was stabbed in the eye with a Palestinian flag while reporting for the Yale Free Press during an anti-Israel protest at Yale University.
A few other clearly anti-Jewish incidents have been chants such as "Long Live the Intifada," "F the Jews," "Death to Jews," and "Jews out" were heard at these protests, making it pretty clear that this isn’t just about Israeli policies on the war.
Official Responses and Law Enforcement
Both Biden and Trump have also weighed in. Biden was shuffling along while campaigning in Virginia, and Trump was not on the campaign trail but stuck at a NYC courthouse.
Critics say his comments imply that there are "very fine people on both sides."
Implications for Jewish Students
In the midst of these "mostly peaceful protests,” Rabbi Elie Buechler, associated with Columbia University's Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus and affiliated with Columbia University and Barnard College, issued a chilling warning of rising "extreme anti-semitism and anarchy," advising students not to attend class but to stay home — at least, temporarily.
Rabbi Buechler's warning spread to over 290 Jewish students, sparking calls louder than a campus rally for beefed-up security, intervention from the law, and robust protection of rights for those targeted.
Iran and Hamas Send their Thanks
Then Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the terrorist organization Hamas, which Iran funds, enter the chat, praising the protests.
Excitedly and publicly expressing their gratitude and support for the growing number of anti-Gaza war protests on college campuses across the United States, Hezbollah's flag is a symbol of the world standing against oppression. These are the same people who will beat a woman to death for breaking modesty standards. Khamenei even went as far as to praise the flying of Hezbollah's flag in the streets of the U.S., highlighting the support for the "Resistance Front" against oppression. (GTFO)
The irony? While calling for liberation, the protests are backing regimes not known for their love of freedom. I guess this is what happens when universities teach their students to prioritize designated oppression over liberty based on race and ethnicity and discourage them from using critical thinking to distinguish between good and evil. Go figure.
Conclusion
As the protest spread to universities nationwide, many are concerned about the escalation and possible resurgence of similar events that occurred during the summer of 2020.
Only time will tell how this will pan out for Israel, Palestine, and freedom of speech on college campuses.
Read More:
Hamas and Iran celebrate anti-Gaza war protests taking US colleges by storm, USA Today
Camping Out at Columbia’s Communist Coachella, The Free Press
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to It's Meseidy to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.