On Monday, tents sprung up on the campus of Rutgers-New Brunswick and students affiliated by a group called “Justice in Palestine” marched down College Avenue. The university protests in favor of Hamas (and against Israel) which appear to be sweeping the nation have come to Rutgers, Save Jerseyans.
Will the Rutgers administration act?
Of course not!
“Our students want to make a difference in a struggle that has cost far too many innocent lives and that threatens so many more,” RU President Jonathan Holloway said in a statement. “I respect their right to protest in ways that do not interfere with university operations or with the ability of their fellow students to learn.” Yet it was unclear as of Monday afternoon how university operations could remain unaffected since the demonstrators were grouped near major classroom facilities.
Rutgers students have officially kicked off their Gaza Solidarity Encampment in front of Murray Hall pic.twitter.com/A1TtvZZKk2
— Spyder Monkey (@SpyderMonkey0_0) April 29, 2024
https://twitter.com/ScooterCasterNY/status/1785056267204972834
https://twitter.com/aslizeng/status/1785010644452040914
Meanwhile, police in Texas tangled directly with students while Columbia University reportedly (and finally) began handing down suspensions to those violating university policies.
A handful of legislators criticized not just the pro-Hamas student movement but also the taxpayer-subsidized administration.
“In 2014, graduates of @RutgersU lost out of the opportunity to have former Secretary of State @CondoleezzaRice speak at their graduation because some students claimed to be offended because she stood for spreading fear and hate in this world,” Assemblywoman Victoria Flynn (R-13) posted on X. “Today, students @RutgersU are fearful of attending class because their campus has been allowed by to be overrun by protesters who INTEND to spread fear and hate. This is unacceptable, @RutgersU . Yes, free speech should we welcomed but not so to interfere with the rights of others to obtain an education. How’s the saying go … your rights end when they start to interfere with the rights of others?”
Wow! A lot can change in 10 years.
In 2014, graduates of @RutgersU lost out of the opportunity to have former Secretary of State @CondoleezzaRice speak at their graduation because some students claimed to be offended because she stood for spreading fear and hate in this world.… pic.twitter.com/u3l7rDu572
— Victoria Flynn (@AswVickyFlynn) April 30, 2024
