University Protests Spread Across the US
Columbia University Grapples with Fallout from Police Clash
Columbia University is grappling with the fallout from its president's controversial promise to Congress that the school would take action to stop campus protests.
Nearly 100 people were arrested Tuesday night at Columbia University as NYPD officers cleared Hamilton Hall after protesters occupied the building for hours. The arrests came after Columbia's president, Lee Bollinger, expressed regret about calling in the police to clear a previous protest.
Protests Spread to Other Campuses
The protests at Columbia are part of a wave of pro-Palestinian demonstrations that have spread to campuses across the country in recent weeks. At least 200 people were arrested at May Day clashes in Seattle, and protests have also been reported at the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Michigan.
Republicans Demand Action
Republicans in Congress have denounced the protests and demanded action to stop them. House Speaker Paul Ryan called the protests "unacceptable" and said that universities should "crack down on these disruptive demonstrations."
Conclusion
The protests at Columbia and other campuses are a sign of the growing tensions over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As the conflict continues to intensify, it is likely that these protests will continue to spread and become more disruptive.
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