With Israel’s genocidal offensive against the civilian population of Gaza continuing — now in its seventh month with the death toll of civilians surpassing 34,000 — students in universities all over North American are occupying campuses, setting up protest camps and in certain places, taking over buildings.
The protests began at Columbia University in New York City on April 17, 2024, when pro-Palestinian students set up an encampment of 50 tents, demanding the university divest from Israel. University authorities quickly dismantled the camp, but a new encampment was built the following day. The next two weeks saw failed negotiations, the occupation of a campus building, the suspension of students involved, and many arrests. Columbia switched to hybrid learning and has now cancelled its main graduation ceremony.
Protests began spreading on April 22nd. Within days, encampments were being set up in 46 of the 50 U.S. states, involving 120 campuses. Protests were also occurring in other countries, including Argentina, Australia, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, Tunisia, United Kingdom, Yemen, and Canada.
The first protest camp in Canada was set up on April 28th at McGill University in Montreal. It was quickly followed by encampments at UBC’s Point Grey campus; at the University of Victoria and Vancouver Island University; at the University of Toronto; at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario; and at the University of Manitoba. It is to be expected that students at other Canadian campuses will follow suit.
Authorities in various locations, particularly in the U.S., continue to arrest protesters and try to dismantle encampments for good. Canadian universities tend to be somewhat more accepting, although the premiers of Ontario and Quebec are both calling for the encampments to be dismantled. In B.C. on the other hand, the Human Rights Commissioner is calling for protection of the rights of students and staff taking part in peaceful campus occupations.
The current student protests against Israel’s war on Gaza have been called perhaps the most significant student movement since the anti-Vietnam War protests in the late 1960’s. Certainly the sheer numbers of students involved now are reminiscent of the earlier demonstrations. Some of today’s students say they have been inspired by the 1968 protests, although it has been noted that there are differences — today’s protests aren’t as big or as violent, and today’s students are not facing the draft.
What is notable is that the anti-Vietnam War protests were significant in maintaining public focus on the conflict and helping to shape what was a polarizing debate. That level of public attention likely played a role in prompting ongoing print media and television coverage — ultimately helping to push politicians to end that war.
Student protesters also played key roles in South African history. At the end of the day, it was public attention and economic pressure brought to bear against South Africa that helped to bring about the release of Nelson Mandela and other prisoners, and the long-overdue end to apartheid.
Current student protesters – motivated by the horrific news out of Gaza — are now in turn helping to keep media and public attention on the ongoing tragedy there, and are putting pressure on university administrations to sever economic ties with the apartheid state of Israel. More importantly, with the U.S. election less than six months away, they are putting pressure on the Biden administration to take action and force Israel to bring an end to its barbaric behaviour.
We must now do all that we can to ensure that apartheid is ended in Israel. Student activism will continue to be a necessary ingredient for that victory.
Daily atmospheric CO2 [Courtesy of CO2.Earth]
Latest daily total (May 12, 2024): 428.05ppm
One year ago (May 12, 2023): 424.16ppm
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