Following Violent Police Crackdown of Anti-War Protests, Campus and Building Occupations Spread

On April 17th, students at Columbia university in New York launched an encampment calling for the private, ivy league university to divest from the state of Israel, taking inspiration from past divestment struggles on campus against the Vietnam war and apartheid in South Africa. The encampment is only the latest in a series of growing campus protests which have denounced the US backed occupation of Palestine and the ongoing ethnic cleansing and genocide within Gaza. On April 18th, the NYPD moved in and arrested over 100 students and attempted to breakup the encampment, however hundreds of reinforcements reformed the occupation and continued the protest as authorities attempted to lock-down the university, controlling who came in and out. In response to the arrests by police, solidarity encampments, walkouts, and demonstrations began spreading across the United States and beyond.

On April 22nd, hundreds of faculty at Columbia walked out of class in support of the students and to denounce the recent mass arrests. Across the US, police on other campuses also attempted to crush the growing wave of encampments, making arrests at other universities, but having little impact as the demonstrations continued to grow in size. In New York City, police swarmed outside of Columbia and NYU, making arrests and attempting to hold the streets, as more schools launched encampments and a physical building at the New School was occupied. In California, an administrative building was also occupied and barricaded in Arcata at Humboldt State, part of the public California State University system, as the demonstrations spilled outside of the ivy league and onto the west coast, with UC Berkeley soon following suit. Police violently attacked students in Arcata, but failed to stop the occupation, as more students joined the struggle in the face of escalating police brutality.

The spreading of the occupations comes after months of attempts by university officials to attack and squash the growing wave of Palestinian solidarity activism on campus, which has demanded that university officials divest from Israel and the US military. Anti-Zionist Jewish led organizations such as Jewish Voice for Peace have been suspended from campuses like Columbia for reportedly “failing to ask for permission well before protesting,” while Students for Justice in Palestine has been banned not only at Columbia, but across the entire state of Florida. Some students have even faced “criminal charges, expulsions, [and] suspensions” while pro-Israel demonstrators have physically attacked pro-Palestinian protesters and in Vermont, Palestinian students were shot in what many believe to be a racist attack. Most recently, the University of Southern California cancelled the commencement speech of valedictorian Asna Tabassum over recent social media posts in support of Palestine, leading to mass demonstrations. So much, as they say, for free speech.

In the face of escalating campus protests, president Biden and many politicians have rushed to brand the demonstrations as “anti-Semitic,” conflating political opposition to Israeli apartheid with racism and hatred of Jews. Republicans such as “senators Tom Cotton and Josh Hawley called on Biden to send the National Guard to quash the protests” as the mainstream media becomes inundated with reactionary voices calling for “anti-Semitic rioters” to be punished and “pro-Hamas anarchists” to be arrested. Leading Democrats such as Senator John Fetterman have even breathlessly compared pro-Palestinian demonstrators to the neo-Nazis who marched in Charlottesville, while New York Mayor Eric Adams said he was “disgusted with the antisemitism being spewed at and around the Columbia University campus.” Government hearings have also been held on reported “antisemitism on campuses,” supposedly emanating from the demonstrations in support of Palestine, despite the fact that anti-Zionist Jews have played a central role in the demonstrations.

Ironically, these same forces have been largely silent as Alt-Right and neo-Nazi groups have littered college campuses across the US with posters, flyers, and stickers for the past eight years, as white supremacists such as Nick Fuentes, Richard Spencer, and Milo Yiannopoulos have been allowed to speak with complete police and campus protection. In Arizona, the ASU campus even recently shelled out over $10,000 for security to protect the white supremacist speaker Jared Taylor, who was invited to speak by a group of college Republicans aligned with Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes. Ironically the same university has banned several pro-Palestinian speakers from speaking on campus.

Meanwhile, Republican bureaucrats such as Marjorie Taylor Greene, Ron DeSantis, Paul Gosar, Steve King, Idaho Lt. Governor Janice McGeachin, and beyond have all established direct connections to neo-Nazi activists and many have even appeared alongside Nick Fuentes at white supremacist gatherings. Just this week, Paul Gosar’s campaign was found to be “engaging a North Carolina firm whose owner proudly promotes white nationalism and antisemitic tropes, while pushing false narratives surrounding the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.” Far-Right billionaire Elon Musk has trafficked in anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, pro-Trump groups like Turning Point USA have pushed conspiracy theories such as the “Great Replacement,” which promotes anti-Semitic tropes, and Trump has had direct associations with leading anti-Semites such as Nick Fuentes and Kayne West.

Anti-Semitism is rising – but it’s coming from the far-Right, ailed directly with the Republican party. Those fighting on campuses across the US, many of them anti-Zionist Jews, are not “anti-Semitic” for opposing the state of Israel; they are taking part in a long history of resistance to racial apartheid and the US war machine. By using anti-Semitism as a bludgeon against growing resistance to the ongoing war and genocide in Gaza, elites are hoping throw a wet blanket onto the movement as public opinion against the war continues to turn.

Democrat and Republican officials are also terrified that the student occupations and demonstrations will spill out of the university and become a full blown revolt, not just against the war, but against growing anger over inflation and the rising cost of living in the face of increasing wealth inequality. Just as police, the FBI, and the Department of Homeland Security under the Obama administration mobilized to clampdown and stomp out the Occupy encampments, police across the country are now being marshaled to attack and dismantle the campus occupations as quickly as possible.

Will this repression be met with solidarity and bring more people into the movement? Will the struggle spill out of the campuses and across the social terrain? The spreading of the occupations to public and state schools is one indication of where things might go, and the solidarity shown in the streets by faculty, community members, and workers against the police raids is another.

What follows is our roundup of the current wave of student occupations and encampments across the US.

Northwest

Evergreen University, Olympia, WA

On April 24th, an encampment is erected at Evergreen University in Olympia, WA. Go here for updates.

Portland State University, Portland, OR

On April 25th, an encampment is established at Portland State University in Portland, OR.

Pacific

Humboldt State, Arcata, CA

Students at Humboldt State, a part of the public California State University system, occupied Siemens Hall, an administration building. According to a post from Humboldt for Palestine:

Cal Poly Humboldt students have taken Siemens Hall in solidarity with students across the nation occupying campuses for Palestine. Their demands as we understand them are as follows:
1. For CPH to disclose all holdings and collaborations with the zionist entity.
2. Academic Boycott, cut all ties with israeli universities.
3. Divest from all ties to the zionist entity including companies complicit in the occupation of Palestine.
4. To drop all charges and attacks on student organizers.
5. An immediate ceasefire and end to the occupation of Palestine. Students are requesting support as follows: Bodies to join them in the occupation of Siemens hall.

Riot police attempted to evict the occupied administration building, but were held back by students who defended the barricades and were reinforced by supporters outside. A report on social media stated that on Monday night, police were “instructed to stand down and have withdrawn from Siemens Hall.” A post on social media on April 23rd wrote:

Calling on all students and community members! The occupation by Cal Poly Humboldt students is still ongoing and they need your support. Yesterday they and those showing up to be witnesses were met with violence by UPD and APD. This is a peaceful protest and the students would like it to stay that way. Our collective community power demanded the police to leave and they did. Let’s continue to show up to protect these students as they demand that Cal Poly Humboldt divest from “israeli” occupation and the ongoing genocide. Go to the campus as soon as you can!

A report posted to CrimethInc. wrote:

Within an hour, campus police attempted to negotiate with the occupiers, who stood strong and refused to exit the building. Soon after, police from every department in the county showed up—including a helicopter, K-9 units, and off-duty police. Students responded by swarming them.

The cops’ initial plan to carry out a mass arrest was thwarted by a series of clashes both inside and outside the building. The occupiers beat back police advances, despite facing brutality unlike anything we have seen over the last decade of struggle in Humboldt County. It is important to note that the police used both batons and shields as weapons to brutalize protesters; in the hands of police, any tool is a weapon.

Police arrested two people and dragged them out of the building by their hair; they inflicted multiple cranial lacerations on another person, necessitating a trip to the hospital and several staples. Many more people were left with head injuries and at least one with a concussion.

During the clashes, police drove a university truck into the crowd, pushing protestors toward the riot line. Yet despite this brutality, it became increasingly apparent that the police were completely unprepared to face down the ferocity and intelligence of the student occupiers. The police were physically repelled from Siemens Hall and massive barricades were erected out of objects from within the building including chairs, desks, trash cans, and doors that had been removed from their hinges.

The police surrounded the occupied building, and a large crowd of students, faculty, and other community members surrounded them, chanting “De-escalate by leaving!” and “People power! We are stronger!” among other chants.

After a six-hour standoff, the police packed up and went home. Hundreds of students rushed into the building and joyously embraced occupiers. The police-imposed division collapsed and we achieved the upper hand. The university has declared a three day lock down. For us, this is only the beginning.

For ongoing updates, see Humboldt for Palestine.

UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA

Students at UC Berkeley held a rally in solidarity with Columbia students and against the occupation of Palestine on April 22nd and began erecting tents at Sproul Plaza at the main entrance of the campus.

University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA

On April 24th, students launch an encampment at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA. Police attempt to harass students and make arrests; at one point students surrounded a police car and de-arrested someone. Police later flooded the university in an effort to crush the demonstrations. News reports that upwards of 50 protesters were eventually arrested by police.

University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA

On April 25th, an encampment is set up on the UCLA campus in Los Angeles, CA. Wooden barricades are erected around encampment. Group of far-Right Zionists attempt to break up the encampment later in the evening, but fail to break up protest.

Stanford University, Stanford, CA

On April 25th, an encampment is established on the Stanford University campus. The school was the site of a previous encampment for over three months.

Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA

On April 26th, an encampment is established on the Sonoma State University campus in Rohnert Park, CA.

Southwest

University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM

Protests were organized on Monday, April 22nd and an encampment was held that night. Organizers report on social media, “Police stormed the camp last night and tore down our tents BUT WE’RE STILL HERE! Join Us at the Duckpond! WE NEED YOU.” Follow UMN Palestine Solidarity Camp for more updates.

Central

Rice University, Houston, TX

On April 23rd, an encampment is set up at Rice University in Houston, TX.

UT Austin, Austin, TX

On April 24th, a rally in solidarity with Palestine and the growing student movement is attacked by state riot police who make several arrests and attempt to break up the demonstration. According to Stop the Sweeps Austin, “Protestors at UT Austin have successfully routed hundreds of State Police to establish an encampment on the South Lawn!”

A large mobilization of state police flooded the campus, attacked students and attempted to clear demonstrators from the area, with the National Lawyers Guild reporting as many as 50 arrests. Students held their ground however, chanting, “You don’t scare us!,” and protests eventually resumed after police left the area following arrests. Faculty later issued a statement condemning the police violence and called for work stoppages and walkouts from class on April 25th. A solidarity demonstration is later held outside of the jail to demand the release of those arrested.

On April 25th, protesters again converge on the campus in much larger crowds, denouncing the police violence and violent arrests from the day before.

Auraria Campus, Denver, CO

On April 25th an encampment is set up on the Auraria campus. On April 26th, police arrive on the scene and make arrests, however the encampment continues.

Midwest

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

University of Michigan Students launched an encampment “on the Diag on the UM campus in Ann Arbor!” For updates, go here.

University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN

An encampment was erected in the early morning of April 23rd, with nine people reportedly being arrested on the campus hours later. The local Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) chapter reported that the encampment was quickly issued a dispersal order. A massive walkout was then organized to denounce the police repression of the movement. Follow UMN SDS for more updates.

Indiana University, Bloomington, IN

On April 25th, an encampment is erected on the Indiana University campus in Bloomington, IN.

Ohio State University, Columbus, OH

On April 25th, an encampment started at Ohio State University in Columbus, OH.

Northwestern University, Evanston, IL

On April 25th, an encampment is launched on the Northwestern University campus in Evanston, IL. Students form human chain and face off against police who attempt to remove the protesters.

Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI

On April 25, an encampment is launched on the Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI.

Southeast

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC

Students organize a rally in solidarity with repression at Columbia university on Friday, April 19th which grows into a protest encampment.

University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC

Encampment in Charlotte at the University of North Carolina begins on April 22nd. Follow updates here.

Washington University, St. Louis, MO

Solidarity rally at Washington University in St. Louis, MO grows into encampment. On April 21st, university officials call in police to clear it. For more updates, go here.

Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN

On March 26th, students clashed with police after attempting to enter building and have been holding demonstrations on campus since. According to Yahoo News, “Vanderbilt University’s encampment has been the longest-running. It began more than three weeks ago, alongside a sit-in by the entrance of the chancellor’s office in one of the main administrative buildings.”

Emory University, Atlanta, GA

On April 25th, attempt by students to set up encampment met with extreme police brutality and projectile weapons. Numerous arrests. Protesters remain on campus throughout the day and face down police violence several times, holding their ground and the encampment remains. Students also occupied the Candler School of Theology on campus.

On April 26th, hundreds again rally on campus in defiance of police.

George Washington University, Washington DC

On April 25th, encampment established at George Washington University, Washington DC. Journalist Chuck Modi reports, “A couple hundred students from Georgetown march to join in support of George Washington University Encampment. Told that American University Students will be joining soon.”

Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL

On April 25th, an encampment is established at Florida State University campus in Tallahassee, FL.

Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA

On April 25th, an encampment is established at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA.

Northeast

Tufts University, Cambridge, MA

Encampment launched at Tufts University in Cambridge, MA. For more updates, go here.

MIT, Cambridge, MA

Students at MIT in Cambridge launch the “Scientists Against Apartheid” encampment. For updates, go here.

Emerson, Boston, MA

Encampment launched at Emerson college in Boston, MA. For updates, go here.

On April 24th, barricades go up on the campus as students stand off against police who threaten arrest. Riot police arrest over 100 protesters.

Yale, New Haven, Connecticut

On April 19th, a large solidarity encampment of hundreds springs up at Yale University in New Have, CT, in solidarity with students at Columbia and to demand that Yale divest from Israel. On April 22nd, according to Occupy Yale on Instagram:

With no warning of when they would come, police ambushed us at 6:40 am while students at the encampment were sleeping. They blocked off entrances to the plaza and arrested 49 students. Yale, you have intimidated us, criminalized us, militarized our campus, and failed to accept our demands. We will not stop, we will not rest until we have disclosure and divestment.

Following the raids, hundreds rallied against the arrests. Follow updates here.

University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

On Tuesday, April 23rd, a protest in solidarity with Columbia kicks off start of encampment. For updates, go here.

University of Maryland, College Park, MD

Encampment begins at the University of Maryland in College Park, MD. For updates, go here.

Columbia University, New York

On April 17th, a protest encampment springs up at Columbia University in New York calling for the university to divest from the state of Israel. Under pressure to clamp down on growing dissent against the US backed war and genocide in Gaza, the university sends in the NYPD who arrests over 100 students. This repression inspires others take action, as thousands launch walkouts, protests, and encampments at a variety of other universities. Back at Columbia, hundreds rally against the raids and the encampment is re-launched, as police attempt to control access in and out of the school.

On Monday, April 22nd, faculty organize a walkout and protest rally to denounce the police raids and attacks on the movement by the university. As the encampments spread, the political and pundit class rush to label the demonstrations as ‘anti-Semitic,’ as thousands join the movement in protest against the violent attacks by law enforcement. Columbia also announces that it will move to online classes to finish out the semester as the encampment continues.

On the night of April 23rd, student organizers on campus release a press release stating that campus officials have threatened to again call police and even the National Guard onto the campus to remove the encampment. On April 24th, students report that they have pushed the administration to agree not to call-in police or the military and negotiations continue. Later in the day, Gavin McInnes, Canadian millionaire and founder of the neo=fascist group the Proud Boys, came onto the campus and reportedly, “harassed pro-Palestinian students, hurling derogatory slurs at the protesting youth.”

New York University (NYU), New York

On April 22nd, hundreds of students at New York University launched their own encampment in Gould Plaza in solidarity with those at Columbia. Police quickly moved to barricade the area and make 128 arrests of demonstrators, which was followed by hundreds blocking the NYPD jail buses and later rallying in support of those arrested outside of the jail.

On April 23rd, hundreds more rallied in Washington Square Park in support of the movement and to denounce the police repression of students at NYU the night before.

New School, New York City

Starting on April 21st, an encampment begins at the New School in New York City. Students have occupied one of the buildings on campus while pickets in support of the occupation taking place outside.

University of Rochester, Rochester, NY

On April 23rd, an encampment is set up at the University of Rochester in Rochester, NY.

This roundup will be updated as more information becomes available. Follow us on Mastodon for future updates.

Brown University, Providence, RI

On April 24th, encampment established at Brown University in Providence, RI.

Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA

On April 24th, encampment established at Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, PA.

Harvard College, Cambridge, MA

On April 24th, rally held and encampment established at on the Harvard Yard in Cambridge, MA.

City College of New York, New York City, NY

On April 25th, encampment established at City College of New York in New York City, NY. Police attempted to enter encampment but were surrounded and pushed out by students.

Northeastern University, Boston, MA

On April 25th, an encampment is established at Northeastern University in Boston, MA. Police attempted to make arrests, but people form human chain against students targeted by students. Police end up retreating from the encampment.

Cornell University, Ithaca, NY

On April 25th, an encampment is established at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY.

University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

On April 25th, an encampment is established on the University of Pennsylvania campus in Philadelphia, PA. Students from various other campuses flooded into the university and erected tents and banners.

Princeton University, Princeton, NJ

On April 25th, students attempt to set up an encampment, but are quickly swarmed by police who make arrests.

Fashion Institute of Technology, New York, NY

Several encampment sites set up on the campus.