Pro-Palestinian Protests Across Universities Worldwide
United States
Pro-Palestinian protests that originated in universities across the United States have now spread to schools in Europe, Canada, Mexico, Australia, and beyond. Demonstrators have gathered at over 40 US university campuses since April 17, setting up tent camps to protest against the escalating death toll in the Gaza Strip. The protests, reminiscent of those against the Vietnam War, have led to the detention of nearly 2,000 people.
Canada
In Canada, pro-Palestinian students and activists have established an encampment at McGill University in Montreal. Recent days have seen police dismantling several student sit-ins, including one at New York University upon the request of its administrators.
France
Protests in France led to the forcible evacuation of protesters from a pro-Gaza sit-in at Sciences Po in Paris, resulting in the arrest of 91 individuals. At Paris-Dauphine University, a ban on a conference involving a Franco-Palestinian expert in international law was overturned by judicial authorities.
Germany
In Germany, police intervened to evacuate protesters outside Humboldt University in central Berlin after some demonstrators refused to relocate to another site. Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner expressed criticism of the protests, emphasizing the city’s stance against events similar to those in the United States and France.
Australia
At Sydney University in Australia, hundreds of supporters of Gaza and Israel engaged in protests, with pro-ceasefire demonstrators camping for 10 days and calling for the university to sever ties with Israeli institutions and reject funding from arms companies.
Ireland
Students at Trinity College Dublin initiated a sit-in as a show of solidarity with Palestine.
Mexico
In Mexico, students from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México established a camp in the capital, advocating for the severance of all ties between the Mexican government and Israel.
Switzerland
At Lausanne University in Switzerland, around 100 students have been occupying a building entrance since Thursday, demanding an academic boycott of Israel and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The peaceful sit-in is scheduled to continue until Monday.
