Columbia University students who sparked nationwide pro-Palestinian protests announced Friday that they had hit a deadlock with administrators. They declared their intention to continue their protest camp until their demands were addressed.
The announcement came after two days of intense negotiations, during which Columbia’s president faced strong criticism from faculty members.
This situation increases the urgency for university officials to find a solution before upcoming graduation ceremonies next month — a challenge many campuses across the country are currently grappling with.
People gather for the solidarity (Via Tom Parker/Shutterstock)
Amid escalating casualties in the Gaza conflict and worsening humanitarian conditions, protesters at universities nationwide are calling for schools to sever financial connections with Israel and withdraw investments from companies they believe contribute to the conflict.
Some Jewish students have expressed concerns that these protests have crossed into antisemitism, causing them to feel unsafe on campus.
With commencement ceremonies scheduled for May approaching, universities face growing pressure to resolve the protests swiftly. At Columbia, demonstrators have set up a tent encampment defiantly, just weeks before many students are set to graduate in front of their families.
