Gaza protesters defy Columbia deadline to leave campus
At Columbia University, student demonstrators involved in pro-Palestinian protests have decided to continue their encampment, disregarding a university demand for them to disband or face potential suspension. This demonstration at Columbia University stands as a focal point within a broader wave of pro-Palestinian activism that has ignited at college campuses throughout the United States. The protests have witnessed considerable participation and legal action, with over 350 individuals arrested at various U.S. campuses over recent days. Among these, significant developments have occurred at the University of Texas at Austin, where authorities disbanded a protest camp, resulting in several arrests. Conversely, at Brown University in Rhode Island, protestors have reported progress in negotiations regarding their demands for the university to divest from Israel. Columbia University has declared its refusal to meet the demonstrators' divestment demands. Despite the threat of suspension, the students remain steadfast in their cause. The protest has drawn attention not just for its stand against the university’s investment policies but also for broader implications relating to the dynamics of campus activism and the allegations of anti-Semitism by critics of the movement. The university's president emphasized the institution's stance against bending to the protestor's demands. Meanwhile, the students' determination reflects a broader sentiment of commitment to their cause, supported by a community of spectators and participants within and beyond the campus. The situation also extends to the University of California, Los Angeles, where tensions have escalated between pro-Palestinian protestors and pro-Israel counter-protesters, leading to several confrontations. Nationwide, these campus protests have elicited a response from the White House, urging all demonstrations to proceed in a peaceful manner.