US Campus Protests: Columbia University Students Defy Suspension Threat. Palestinian Flag Raised At Harvard

US Campus Protests: Columbia University has given pro-Palestinian protesters until Monday to remove encampments or face suspension. Despite the deadline passing, protesters remain at the site.

Pro-Palestinian student protesters continue demonstrations during the second week of the 'Gaza Solidarity Encampment' at Columbia University in New York, United States. ( Image Source :Getty Images )

US Campus Protests: Columbia University has issued a stern ultimatum to pro-Palestinian student protesters, urging them to dismantle tent encampments on its campus. The university demanded that demonstrators sign a form and vacate the area by Monday afternoon or face suspension. Despite the deadline passing, activists at Columbia continued their protests, with chants and drumming echoing from the encampment, housing over 300 people, news agency AP reported. Notably, no university officials ventured into the area as the deadline elapsed, leaving around 120 tents still standing.

According to the notice sent by the university, protesters were offered a chance to finish the semester in good standing if they complied with the ultimatum. However, failure to do so would result in suspension pending further investigation, AP's report stated.

The protests at Columbia initially sparked pro-Palestinian demonstrations across the US, with students advocating for their universities to sever financial ties with Israel. The escalating tensions have led to nearly 1,000 arrests on campuses across the country.

As the academic year draws to a close and graduation ceremonies loom, colleges are under pressure to clear encampments. Some universities have even cancelled graduation ceremonies due to the ongoing protests, according to the report.

Protests Continue At Harvard, Yale, University of Pennsylvania

While new encampments have dwindled in number as the school year ends, standoffs persist at high-profile universities like Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, and Yale.

At Yale, protesters erected a new encampment after a previous one was cleared by police. However, they were warned by university officials that they could face discipline and possible arrest for continuing the protest.

In response to the ongoing demonstrations, Columbia University has opted for remote classes and has attempted negotiations with protesters. However, no agreement has been reached thus far, AP reported.

The university's handling of the protests has sparked legal action, with a class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of Jewish students alleging a breach of contract and a legal group representing pro-Palestinian students urging the U.S. Department of Education to investigate Columbia's compliance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The fate of arrested students remains uncertain, with calls for amnesty growing among both students and faculty.

According to AP, Columbia University's President Minouche Shafik stated, "The students and administrators have negotiated to end the disruptions, but the sides have not come to an agreement. The university said it will offer an alternative venue for the protests after exams and graduation."

Palestinian Flag Raised Over Statue at Harvard University Amid Anti-Israel Protests

Notably, a Palestinian flag was raised over a statue at Harvard University, replacing the American flag that typically adorns the founder's memorial. The incident occurred amidst ongoing anti-Israel protests.

Video footage from Saturday depicted a group of pro-Palestine protestors, donned in keffiyehs, hoisting a large Palestinian flag above the iconic statue of John Harvard, UK-based Daily Mail reported. The Harvard Crimson reported that the student protestors hung the flag, along with two others, around 6:30 pm at the prestigious Ivy League campus.

Harvard students cheer as they replace an American Flag with a Palestinian Flag.

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However, within minutes, Harvard University Police officers intervened, prompting the removal of the flag that had flown above the statue by 6:34 pm, according to Daily Mail's report.

The statue of John Harvard, typically accompanied by an American flag, was momentarily adorned with the Palestinian flag, symbolizing the protestors' stance on the issue. Additionally, images captured the Palestinian flag draped across the statue's lap, accompanied by a keffiyeh around its neck, the report stated.

As staff members removed the flags as agitators expressed their dissent, chanting slogans such as "Shame!" and "Free, free, Palestine," as per Daily Mail. Harvard spokesperson Jonathan L. Swain denounced the protestors' actions as a violation of university policy, stating "the individuals involved will be subject to disciplinary action."

Following the removal of the flags, demonstrators remained defiant, expressing their willingness to face consequences for their actions. They gathered inside and outside the encampment, offering their school IDs to administrators.

Subsequently, administrators, led by Dean of Students Thomas Dunne, conducted ID scans, warning protestors of potential disciplinary actions, including the withholding of degrees for graduating seniors.

Former university president Claudine Gay resigned earlier this year, following criticism of her handling of campus anti-Semitism.