Outsiders Fuel Campus Protests Against Israel
Across the nation, a concerning trend is emerging at colleges and universities, as anti-Israel protests escalate with the presence of outsiders and agitators.
Emory University Responds to Campus Occupation
Emory University in Atlanta announced that out of 28 arrests made during an anti-Israel demonstration on campus, 20 individuals were identified as university affiliates. The remaining protesters were deemed non-affiliated.
The university spokesman, Cheryl Elliott, stated that the arrests occurred due to the protesters ignoring police orders and setting up an encampment, obstructing an area designated for commencement preparations.
Non-Affiliates Infiltrate Protests Nationwide
- George Washington University: Protests featured non-affiliated individuals and offensive signage that university officials believe did not originate from their students.
- Ohio State University: Approximately 40 arrests, with 22 individuals identified as non-students.
- University of Texas at Austin: Of 55 arrests, nearly half were unaffiliated with the university during an anti-Israel demonstration.
- Northeastern University: An authorized encampment was cleared due to infiltration by professional organizers with no university affiliation who engaged in anti-Semitic chants.
Columbia University Grapples with Outsiders
Columbia University’s President, Nemat Shafik, expressed distress over the anti-Jewish actions of agitators on their campus who formed an encampment and created a hostile environment.
Shafik emphasized the influence of external agitators in exacerbating tensions and exploiting security concerns, reiterating that the university’s mission of fostering a safe and inclusive community was under threat.
Law Enforcement Weighs In
The New York City Police Department acknowledged the role of outsiders, particularly in the Columbia University demonstrations.
Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry emphasized that peaceful protests were supported but condemned the violent and anti-Semitic actions of outside infiltrators.
Reaching Out to Universities
LA News Center attempted to obtain statements from numerous institutions, including Yale, New York University, Harvard, and the University of Southern California, but no responses were received.
Despite these outreach efforts, the influence of outsiders remains evident across college campuses, raising concerns about the safety and academic integrity of these higher education institutions.
