Pro-Palestinian Protests Erupt at US Universities

On August 22, over 300 protesters rallied at George Washington University (GWU) to support pro-Palestinian student activists facing repression, chanting against university President Ellen Granberg's complicity in genocide. Meanwhile, at the University of Connecticut (UConn), students protested on the first day of classes, demanding divestment from companies linked to the Israeli defense industry; organizers emphasized their commitment to ongoing demonstrations despite prior arrests. At the University at Albany, a group disrupted a convocation event, proclaiming the start of a 'student intifada' against perceived university complicity in genocide. Protests also occurred at Columbia University, where activists criticized the institution’s ties to Israel and called for divestment, declaring that business would not resume as usual until their demands were met. These demonstrations highlight a broader resurgence of pro-Palestinian activism on campuses amid ongoing violence in Gaza. The protests reflect a significant mobilization among students, with each institution facing its own challenges related to free speech and administration responses.