Max Hayim, 19, arrived at the New School for Social Research in New York to find protestors shouting “Free Palestine,” causing him to feel unsafe as a Jewish person, prompting him to skip class.
The New School is among several universities where pro-Palestine protests have occurred, including Yale, M.I.T., NYU, and the University of Michigan.
Recent events at Columbia University have led to arrests, faculty walkouts, and a shift to virtual classes due to ongoing protests.
Attendees at these rallies demand divestment from companies supporting alleged Israeli oppression of Palestine, with some expressing satisfaction at the financial impact on the university.
Despite concerns for safety, some Jewish students have participated in the protests, challenging the notion that Jewish students are unsafe due to their involvement.
The demonstrations at NYU and Columbia University have disrupted classes and entry to buildings, with students like Harshit Singal hoping for inclusivity and peaceful coexistence among all groups.
NYU Professor John P. Waters reflects on past successful protests in college history, emphasizing the importance of universities upholding their values in times of social change.
I am in favor of a ceasefire. Anna Cordeiro, a 50-year-old master’s student at the NYU Gallatin School of Individualized Study, expressed her support for New York students taking on the issue. According to Ms. Cordeiro, it is crucial to provide a platform for people to share their views on the matter. She believes that there is no way to sugarcoat the situation—it is genocide. Ms. Cordeiro emphasized the importance of speaking out freely without fear of repercussions on one’s career.
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