Universities become flashpoints for Israel-Palestine conflict protests

Expression

Freedom of speech debate intensifies amid Israel-Palestine conflict on college campuses

Across the USA, hundreds of demonstrations have erupted regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict, and college campuses have become flashpoints for debate, highlighting challenges in balancing freedom of speech while combating hate speech directed towards Jews and Muslims.

Since the outbreak of the conflict on 7th October, the US Department of Education has reported at least 29 instances of antisemitism and Islamophobia across USA schools, matching the number of incidents from 2016 to 2022. These reports led to a federal investigation at one primary school and six college campuses, as federal law prohibits discrimination or harassment based on a person’s ancestry or ethnicity. Schools must abide by those laws to receive federal funding.

Columbia University in New York City has seen some of the most high-profile instances of clashes between protestors. On 9th October, a pro-Palestine student group issued a statement that said “the weight of responsibility for the war and casualties undeniably lies with Israeli extremist government” and published the names of signatories. In response, on 25th October a nonprofit called Accuracy in Media plastered the names and faces of those who signed the letter on a billboard truck with the words “Columbia’s Leading Antisemites” and circled the campus. Two of the students identified on the billboard have since had job offers revoked by a potential employer, and another student is suing those who organised what they called a “doxing truck” for defamation.

Also at Columbia University, on 11th October, a student assaulted their classmate who was hanging up a poster of Israeli hostages; the police intervened and arrested him. The victim stated that they –along with many other Jewish students— do not feel safe on campus, and the college dean condemned the incident as an example of “intimidation and outright violence.”

On 30th October, a swastika was found graffitied on the wall of a bathroom stall. In reaction to this incident, campus administrators triggered a police investigation, but the perpetrator is still unknown. The instances of violence and hate speech at Columbia University led the university administrators to disband both Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace for what they deemed “safety concerns” for the fall semester, which they announced on 10th November.

On 17th October at Havard Law School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, three students had job offers rescinded from law firm Davis Polk & Wardell because they signed a student-led support letter for Palestine which – similarly to the letter signed at Columbia University— stated: “We, the undersigned student organisations, hold the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence.” The Harvard Jewish Centre called the statement antisemitic, and donors to Harvard have threatened to withhold funds as a result. The law firm has since indicated that they are open to an explanation of the letter from the individuals. Other students who signed the letter have since distanced themselves from the letter, saying they were unaware of the content details.

Moreover, USA officials have targeted student groups on college campuses. On 19th October, Senator Tim Scott, a Republican representative of North Carolina, introduced a law to the US congress that would ban federal funding from colleges that facilitate or promote events that contain “antisemitic message.” He followed up this proposal by publicly calling on the US government to deport foreign students protesting against Israel while referring to anti-war protests and protests in support of Palestine. “Any time you actually encourage for the genocide, the elimination of an entire race of people, any time you support terrorism and encourage murder, there should be consequences,” the senator said.

In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida State University system conflated support for Palestine as providing “material support” to Hamas, designated as a foreign terrorist organisation by the US Government. On 24th October, he ordered the disbandment of local chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP). The developments in Florida follow the Anti-Defamation League and the Louis Brandeis Centre for Human Rights Under Law’s joint call for universities across the country to investigate SJP for “potential violations of the prohibition against materially supporting a foreign terrorist organisation.” In both cases, the allegations against student-led Palestinian support cite “resistance” to the siege, bombardment and invasion of Gaza exclusively as support for terrorism.

Following this, on 16th November, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Palestine Legal sued Governor DeSantis and Florida education officials for violating freedom of speech. In a post on the ACLU website, the advocacy group noted the troubling rise of officials calling for schools to investigate pro-Palestinian groups for “material support for terrorism” without any evidentiary basis.

Atlanta “Stop Cop City” journalists teargassed by police

On 13th November, a group of journalists was teargassed while reporting on the “Stop Cop City” march in Atlanta, Georgia. One journalist, Berríos Polanco, stood with a group of over 30 members of the press and believed police deliberately targeted their group. The journalists dispersed as a result, and when they returned they were turned away by the police who stated the area was an “active crime scene”.

The Atlanta Training Centre, or “Cop City”, is a large police training centre currently under construction in an urban forest near Atlanta, Georgia. Its development has triggered backlash from the community who believe it damages the environment and entrenches police presence. This issue summarised here is described in more detail in the Peaceful Assembly section below.

Association

Indigenous activist shot during peaceful protest

On 28th September, protestors gathered in Espanola, New Mexico, to rally against the unveiling of a statue of Juan De Onate, a Spanish conquistador who served as the first colonial governor of New Mexico and was infamous for brutality towards Native Americans. During the rally, indigenous activist and artist Jacob Johns was shot in the chest by a young man who sought to disrupt the rally. New Mexico police quickly caught and arrested him.

Jacob Johns survived the shooting and was released from hospital on 2nd November. The statue of Juan De Onate had previously been removed in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd and widespread protests across the USA calling for racial justice, but administrators in New Mexico recently moved to reinstate the statue, which triggered the protest on 28th September.

Peaceful Assembly

Israel-Palestine conflict triggers widespread protests across the US

The outbreak of the Israel-Palestine conflict on 7th October sparked widespread protests in the US, with hundreds of thousands of individuals taking part in demonstrations held in over 400 cities across the country. Although immediately following the outbreak of the conflict there were more protests supporting Israel, since the bombardment of Gaza began, most protests have been supportive of Palestinian causes. In response to sweeping demonstrations, governments have deployed increased numbers of police to prevent violence between Israel and Palestine supporters.

On 31st October, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin lobbied Congress regarding a $106 billion defence package proposal, which included $14.3 billion in support to Israel and an additional $9 billion for humanitarian relief for both Israel and Gaza. But as the congressional hearing began, a line of demonstrators raised red-stained hands in the air and called for an end to the “genocide” in Gaza and an immediate ceasefire. The demonstrators were quickly removed by Capitol police and 12 arrests were made due to illegally protesting inside the senate office building.

On 3rd November, 200 protestors brandishing Palestinian flags attempted to block a US military supply ship trying to leave the Port of Oakland. Three of the protestors blocked the door to the military ship by holding on to a rope ladder, refusing to leave after a US Coast Guard negotiator attempted to convince them to leave. "It's a U.S. Military ship. It's destined to go to Tacoma [Washington], pick up U.S. military arms and then take those arms to Israel,” claimed Palestinian protestor Meena Abushamala. Authorities detained the three people who blocked the entrance, and the ship eventually made its way out of the port. The detained individuals are now under investigation according to local authorities, but they withheld further details.

The largest pro-Palestine demonstration in US history took place on 4th November during the National March on Washington for Palestine, where over 300,000 people rallied in the US capital. Marchers called for an immediate ceasefire, an end to unconditional US support for Israel, and for lifting the ongoing siege on Gaza. Over 250 organisations endorsed or helped organise the event, which saw 35 speakers address a crowd from a stage just a few blocks away from the White House. “We’re calling on mass shutdown of all industries — refusing to continue with business as usual while genocide is unravelling before our eyes,” said Yara Shoufani, member of the Palestinian Youth Movement and one of the organisers of the march.

On 11th November, hundreds gathered outside President Biden’s home in Greenville, Delaware, demanding a ceasefire, improved humanitarian support to Palestine and an end to the “genocide” against Palestinians. State Representative Madinah Wilson-Anton was one of the organisers of the demonstration. Protestors chanted: “Biden, Biden, you can’t hide! We charge you with genocide!”

On 15th November, 150 protestors gathered outside the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and called for the Democratic Party to facilitate a ceasefire. Protestors barred police from entering the building, and the protest quickly devolved into chaos. Police, equipped with riot gear, clashed with the demonstrators: one person was shoved down a staircase, and police used pepper spray and fired projectiles containing chemical irritants to disperse the crowd. Congress members evacuated the building due to safety concerns.

The organisers of the demonstration maintain they gathered peacefully. Dani Noble, one of the protestors, said “It is shameful the way that nonviolent protestors and members of our community were met with violence tonight. It is absolutely shameful.” Meanwhile, police say that the demonstrators had gathered illegally and were violently protesting, which led to injuries to six police officers and one arrest.

“Stop Cop City” protests continued in Atlanta, Georgia

On 13th November, hundreds marched in demonstration against the development of the police training complex dubbed “Cop City” outside Atlanta, Georgia. Protestors argue the construction will devastate local ecosystems and accentuate police militarisation in the area. Local police reported that the protestors “began an unpermitted march” obstructing the road, ignored commands from police authorities, and forced their way through a line of 30 police officers. The police then used flashbangs and tear gas against the marchers.

Meanwhile, the protestors maintain their innocence and non-violent nature: "We were part of the way there on a road when we encountered a large line of police. We tried to non-violently get past them, and they responded with violence," said Jamie Peck, a spokesperson for the demonstrators. Although police used force to disperse the protestors, no injuries were reported and no arrests were made.

The latest “Stop Cop City” march comes after Georgia police’s refusal to release evidence regarding a police killing of a protester that occurred earlier this year and the indictment of nearly 60 protestors on racketeering charges on 6th November.

As previously reported by the CIVICUS Monitor, Georgia law enforcement is accused by US civil society groups of abusing vague US Department of Homeland Security terminology such as “domestic violent extremist” and “militant” to undermine the “Stop Cop City” protestors. Police officers have been implicated in instances of excessive use of force during protests, along with reports of surveillance and arbitrary detentions.

In September 2023, the UN-led International Independent Expert Mechanism to Advance Racial Justice and Equality in the Context of Law Enforcement (The Expert Mechanism) expressed its concern about the human rights violations in the context of protests. In particular, the Expert Mechanism underscored the Cop City protests, where local authorities appear to be using terrorism classification and terrorist criminal charges to punish dissent.

The report reiterated that systemic racism exists in the USA which creates prejudices within numerous sectors, including the criminal justice system, and emphasised the need for human rights-based policing.

Over-stretched health care workers go on strike

Starting on 4th October, over 75,000 health care workers employed by Kaiser Permanente went on strike for three days, calling for improved staffing, training, worker benefits and wages, in what was the largest health care worker strike in US history. Strikers argued that staffing shortages led to burnout and compromises in patient care. Kaiser Permanente is one of the largest healthcare nonprofits in the country and runs 39 hospitals and hundreds of laboratories and smaller offices and facilities across the country.

The strikes disrupted facilities in Oregon, Washington and California. Following a month-long negotiation, on 9th November, the union representing Kaiser Permanente workers ratified a deal that includes average wage increases of 21% over four years, improved worker benefits, and commitments to address staffing shortages. In recent years, recruitment and retention of health care workers has been a challenge across the health sector in the USA, especially following COVID-19 which led to record level burnout and turnover of staff.

Also in the health care sector, over 4,500 pharmacists walked out on their jobs in protest at “dangerous working conditions” at CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid stores. The workers demanded improved staffing and reported that staff shortages can lead to dire consequences for patients, including prescription errors which kill between 7,000 and 9,000 people in the USA each year.

As a result of the strikes, 12 CVS locations temporarily closed in Kansas City, Missouri, on 21st and 22nd September. Walgreens workers walked out of stores from 9th and 11th October, leading to multiple store closures across Oregon, Arizona, Washington and Massachusetts. Rite Aid is currently filing for bankruptcy, which has worsened staff shortages at their pharmacies. CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid representatives report ongoing dialogue with their regional staff to improve working conditions. However, the pharmacists are not unionised, which has disjointed their advocacy efforts.

Starbucks employees strike for improved holiday staffing

On 16th November, nearly 5,000 Starbucks workers who are members of the Workers United union walked out of their jobs at more than 200 stores across the country in a strike called the “Red Cup Rebellion.” The workers protested for better staffing during holidays, where long hours coupled with surges in demand and limited staff diminish working conditions. Over 363 Starbucks stores across 41 states have voted to unionise since late 2021, but Starbucks is yet to reach a labour agreement with any of these stores.

Regional offices of the National Labor Relations Board, an independent federal agency designed to protect unions, have issued 111 complaints against Starbucks for unfair labour practices, including refusal to bargain. Meanwhile, Starbucks have put the blame on Workers United who they said refuse to schedule a bargaining session. One of the participants in the strike stated: "We just have basically an infinite amount of drinks and we’re understaffed and we’re underpaid and we're sick of it."

Screen Actors Guild and writers’ union continue ongoing strikes

In California, the screen actors guild, SAG-AFTRA, officially ended their record-long 119 day strike on 9th November, after reaching an agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) that sees the first-ever protections for actors against artificial intelligence and historic pay increases. Actors in Hollywood had been on strike since July 2023 as they sought longer-term pay, improved job security, and protections from AI-generated replicas. “The AMPTP is pleased to have reached a tentative agreement and looks forward to the industry resuming the work of telling great stories”, the employer group of film and TV producers said.

On 24th September, the Writers Guild of America – which represents nearly 12,000 writers in film and TV show business across the US – ended their 148-day strike. The strike, which was the second-longest in Hollywood history, called for improved payment terms based on streaming residuals, length of employment, size of writing teams, and protections against use of AI to substitute for human writers, all of which were addressed in the deal with AMPTP.

Record-breaking year for union-led strikes

Since September of this year, over 330,000 people have participated in labour union strikes across the country, continuing a record-breaking year in the USA for union-led strikes, as workers collectively called for improved wages, working conditions and job protection.

Auto-Worker Union wins historic victory

Starting on 15h September, about 34,000 members of the United Auto Workers (UAW) union went on strike demanding improved wages and retirement benefits, which led to walk outs at six assembly plants and 38 parts distribution facilities run by General Motors, Ford and Stellantis, known as Detroit’s “Big Three” automobile manufacturers.

On 30th October, an initial deal was struck with General Motors, which followed similar tabled deals with Ford and Stallantis earlier in October, thereby ending the strike. The proposed agreements raise pay on average for veteran workers by 33%, and will give approximately $2,500 in five payments to retirees through 2028. The deals are considered a historic victory by UAW, and was praised by President Biden, who said “This historic contract is a testament to the power of unions and collective bargaining to build strong middle-class jobs while helping our most iconic American companies thrive.”

Over the past decade, profits for the “Big Three” auto companies grew over 90% while wages had dropped nearly 20%, leading to widespread worker unrest who struggled with the rising costs of living and vast salary discrepancies between workers.