More than 100 pro-Palestine students were detained during rallies at Columbia University

Nemat Minouche Shafik, the president of Columbia University, gave the NYPD permission to disperse a pro-Palestinian camp on Thursday, which led to the detention of 108 demonstrators. Due to the demonstration, the daughter of divisive US Congressman Ilhan Omar has also been suspended by the institution.

The demonstrators, who had erected tents on Wednesday morning, were charged with breaking the school’s anti-unauthorized demonstration and trespassing statutes.

According to Shafik, the decision to remove the encampment was made because the demonstrators had refused to interact with the officials.

Shafik stated in a statement, according to news agency Reuters, “I authorised the New York Police Department to begin clearing the encampment out of an abundance of concern for the safety of Columbia’s campus.”

Additionally, the university has begun suspending students who took part in the demonstration, such as Isra Hirsi, the US Representative Ilhan Omar’s daughter, who backed the demonstrators during a hearing on antisemitism on campus.

After being suspended, Hirsi said on social media, “Those of us in Gaza solidarity encampment will not be intimidated,” according to Reuters.

Hirsi got warnings from Barnard College, a Columbia affiliate, along with other suspended students.

Hirsi replied on social media, saying that anyone taking part in the Gaza solidarity campsite will not be coerced.

The altercation at Columbia University reminds me of the anti-Vietnam War protests that took place there almost 50 years ago.

Protesters have called for university divestiture from firms benefiting from Israel’s invasion, a lasting truce in Gaza, and an end to US military support for Israel.

A consortium of student-led organizations, including Columbia University Apartheid Divest, Students for Justice in Palestine, and Jewish Voice for Peace, planned the camping.

About 500 protesters marched in support of Asna Tabassum, a Muslim student, at the administration of Southern California, when the administration postponed Asna’s valedictorian address due to safety concerns.

According to Tabassum and her allies, the institution tried to intimidate her because she didn’t agree with Israel’s attack on Gaza.

“Let Her Speak” placards and “Shame!” cries were carried by demonstrators as they marched in opposition to the USC administration.

The Jewish voice at USC, the anti-Zionist Jewish voice at USC, has to be heard and heard loudly, according to 23-year-old demonstrator Katya Urban of the Jewish Voice for Peace contingent.

Part of the Jewish Voice for Peace contingent at USC, activist Katya Urban, 23, said, “It feels really important especially right now for the Jewish voice at USC, the anti-Zionist Jewish voice at USC, to be very loud and very present,” according to Reuters.

The cross-border raid by Hamas militants on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people, according to Israeli estimates, set off the Israeli assault on Gaza, which has resulted in over 33,000 deaths, according to the Gazan health ministry.