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Police arrested dozens of pro-Palestinian demonstrators at New York University in Manhattan on Monday, as authorities stepped up efforts to quell student protests amid heightened scrutiny of anti-Semitism on US campuses. I was arrested.
NYPD officers burst into protesters at New York University around 8:30 p.m., after a deadline to vacate areas on campus had passed early Monday.
Police arrested at least 20 people who had gathered on the streets of the university in the city's Greenwich Village neighborhood.Hundreds of people gathered to protest Israel's Gaza War.
The crackdown at New York University came hours after Columbia University in New York announced it would switch to online classes as President Minoush Shafiq sought to quell protests on the Ivy League school's campus.
Police also arrested a pro-Palestinian demonstrator at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, early Monday morning.More than 100 people were arrested on Friday. Columbia, was the first such intervention in more than 30 years. Columbia University and Yale University announced that the participating students would be suspended.
of Arrested in Colombia last week It also sparked student protests at other universities, including Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Tufts University, and Emerson College.
Colombia, a center of demonstrations due to its elite reputation, location in New York City, and strong tradition of Palestinian studies, has come under intense political pressure regarding the protests. The student group is university funds As well as making widespread demands for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, it has also drawn protests from businesses linked to Israel.
„The decibels of our disagreements have only increased in recent days,“ said Shafiq, who announced the move to remote learning on the eve of the Jewish holiday of Passover. „These tensions have nothing to do with Columbia University. , has been exploited and amplified by individuals who came to campus to pursue their own goals.''
„We are aware of reports of egregious behavior, including intimidation and harassment, shoving in crowds, removing flags from plazas, and other harmful behavior,“ Yale President Peter Salovey said in a statement. Yale University does not tolerate conduct that involves intimidation, harassment, or intimidating statements against members of the university's Jewish, Muslim, or other communities. ”
Shafiq was questioned last week by Republicans in Congress about the Colombian government's efforts. antisemitismHe emphasized efforts to punish the faculty and staff involved. But House Education Committee Republican Chairwoman Virginia Foxx said lawmakers still had „serious concerns about the misleading and inaccurate statements made by (her) testimony.“
Faculty members at some schools, including those at Columbia University, have questioned the university's actions, such as banning student groups and calling for police intervention, and are calling for clarification of the policies in place and detailed evidence to justify the suspensions. .
Some of America's most elite universities are facing damaging controversies related to protests over the war in Gaza, leading to the resignations of the presidents of Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania.
Several Jewish students and organizations have filed lawsuits against Columbia University and other higher education institutions for failing to do enough against anti-Semitism, while many Palestinian organizations have also raised concerns about Islamophobia. has been expressed.
Democrats are under pressure from many young and Muslim voters to maintain U.S. support for Israel.
US President Joe Biden spoke out on Monday for the second time in recent days about campus protests, saying, „I condemn anti-Semitic protests. That's why I want to create programs to address them.'' I also blame those who don't understand what is happening to the Palestinians.
In a letter to students and faculty explaining Columbia University's transition to online classes, Shafiq said: Anti-Semitic language, like any other language used to hurt or frighten people, is unacceptable and appropriate action will be taken. ”
Eric Adams, the Democratic mayor of New York City, said in X: „I am horrified and disgusted by the outpouring of anti-Semitism on and around Columbia University's campus. There is no place for hate in our city, and I am calling on the NYPD to file a report. I directed that all violations of the law be investigated and those found in violation of the law be arrested.”
Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots football team, said he would suspend donations to his alma mater, Columbia, until the protests end and efforts are made to protect students and staff. He founded a foundation to fight anti-Semitism and has provided support such as the Craft Center for Jewish student life on campus.