Police in the United States have cleared several pro-Palestinian encampments on campuses including the University of Pennsylvania, MIT, and the University of Arizona amid protests against universities’ academic and financial ties with Israel following the conflict in Gaza. These interventions, occurring in early May 2024, have led to over 2,600 arrests at 50 campuses nationwide.

The movement began three weeks earlier at Columbia University and rapidly expanded across the country. Demonstrators, including students and activists, have been advocating for universities to divest from companies that have financial connections with Israeli military actions in Gaza.

In Pennsylvania, the removal of the encampments at the University of Pennsylvania was urged by Governor Josh Shapiro, who highlighted safety and order on campus as primary concerns. Similarly, actions were taken in Massachusetts where MIT police detained protesters, and in Arizona where clashes escalated with police deploying pepper balls to manage the crowd.

The University of Minnesota has responded to protester demands by releasing details on its investments in companies linked to the conflict, sparking a broader debate about the implications of such transparency. Some, including student activist Ali Abu, see this as a step towards potential divestment. Yet, institutions like the University of Michigan maintain that divestment decisions should be made purely on financial grounds, without succumbing to political pressures.

This ongoing wave of protests underscores a significant push among student bodies and activists for universities to reconsider their investment strategies and affiliations in light of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Despite the confrontations and legal repercussions, student organizers remain committed to continuing their advocacy.