Student activism and campus tensions rise at US colleges

Student activism and tensions regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continue to impact American higher education institutions. At Pomona College, Jewish students have reported feeling unwelcome following incidents such as the spraypainting of “intifada” on campus walls and the posting of flyers that described those involved in the October 7 attacks as “martyrs.” Students noted a perceived lack of solidarity from the broader campus community when addressing concerns of anti-semitism.

In Ithaca, New York, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez headlined a “Students v. Billionaires” town hall. The event, hosted by More Perfect University and several Cornell student organizations, featured student leaders from groups such as the Cornell Young Democratic Socialists of America and Students for Justice in Palestine. During the event, students led chants supporting Palestinian liberation and criticized university administrations for their ties to weapons manufacturers and their handling of student protests and free speech.