What the backlash to student protests over Gaza is really about
VoxApr 21
Gaza Protests: At Least 235 Arrested Across US College Campuses
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The Facts
Police have arrested hundreds of protesters at college campuses across the US as encampments and demonstrations allegedly inspired by the pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University spread across the country.
At least 108 arrests were made on Thursday at Emerson College in Boston, 93 at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles, and 34 at the University of Texas in Austin.
The Spin
Narrative A
Colleges have long been sites for open dialogue, debate, and exchanging ideas. However, recent incidents across the US have demonstrated that universities are far more interested in economics and optics than in freedom of speech. Students across the country are standing in solidarity with the Palestinians, and they should be able to peacefully protest without facing enormous overreactions by law enforcement and administrators.
Narrative B
Universities are responsible for maintaining the order and security of their students and campuses. While freedom of speech is an important right in the US, many of these campuses are private property, and university administrators are well within their bounds to call for law enforcement support to disperse unruly protesters. Colleges are, first and foremost, places of learning, and students should be able to study without fear.