Riot Police Swarm as Protests Shut Down Universities

The antisemitism against Jewish students on college campuses is so volatile that CNN is reporting that classes at Columbia today (the start of Passover) are meeting virtually. Fearing the worst for Columbia University, New York City Mayor Eric Adams condemned the “professional agitators” at Columbia and warned that the NYPD would be ready to intervene if needed. This comes on the heels of a riot on Saturday night at Yale University that resulted in a Jewish student being stabbed in the eye with a Palestinian flag.

CNN reports on Columbia’s decision to go virtual:

Columbia President Minouche Shafik said in a statement the decision was made to “deescalate the rancor and give us all a chance to consider next steps.”

The move underscores how tense the situation has become at the Ivy League school and the enormous challenge facing Shafik to get the situation under control. . . .

As Columbia students move to virtual learning, scores of protestors were camped out on the university’s West Lawn Monday morning opposite the lawn where the original encampment took place.

More than a dozen tents were pitched and tables were stocked with supplies of clothes and food. Signs along the perimeter include ones reading, “End the siege on Gaza now” and “Welcome to the People’s University of Palestine.”

So Columbia isn’t just telling its students to be careful – it’s sending students home because they can’t control the antisemitic riots. The administration is essentially admitting that it can’t protect the students or faculty.

Remember when Jews had to flee Poland in September 1939? The threats against Jewish students aren’t on the same level, but there are still disturbing similarities. Orthodox Jewish students walking across campus must literally fear for their safety.

Ironically, most of these college students were raised in liberal homes that preached “tolerance.” That’s why it’s so shocking to see how these minds have gotten so polluted against Jewish students without any respect for their beliefs or ethnicity.

My colleague ACLJ Senior Counsel and Director of Policy Harry Hutchison is no stranger to college campuses. He commented on the adverse environment for Jewish students:

What we have in the United States is basically a movement . . . designed to classify Jews and supporters of Israel as oppressors. And the individuals in Palestine, for instance, the pro-Hamas individuals, are now classified as victims. And so in our American system, if you are classified as a victim, you gain political and moral power. And so at Columbia, we see individuals who are proudly supporting Hamas. . . . So all of this has happened after October 7 when Hamas launched an unprovoked assault on Israel. And now Israel is seen in the eyes of elites as the oppressor.

The anti-Jewish propaganda isn’t isolated to radical professors. President Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken are also to blame for this violence against Jewish students. They’ve poured fuel on the flames of vitriol against Jews by opposing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s attempts to defend Israel and excusing slanderous lies about the IDF’s fight against Hamas. Biden’s waning support of Israel empowers the pro-Hamas crowds even further.

As most of you know, I come from a family of Holocaust survivors. I never dreamed that I’d see a time – with the Holocaust in the rearview mirror – when Americans are having to confront public violence against Jews. I’ve also never really thought about having to hide wearing a Star of David, but honestly, I think twice about it sometimes in public now, especially when out with my kids.

The Biden Administration and college campuses must reign in the antisemitic rioting before it’s too late. This is the United States of America – this violent behavior is unconscionable. And again, today’s attacks against Jewish students are taking place on Passover, which is just heartbreaking.

The ACLJ stands with Israel and continues to defend our ally. Today we sent legal demand letters to 36 countries demanding that they inflict crippling sanctions on Iran, label their Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist organization, and allow Israel to defend itself.

Join our stand for Israel. Sign our brand-new petition that defends Israel. Let your voice be heard.

Today’s Sekulow broadcast included a full analysis of the antisemitic attacks against Jewish students on Passover. Senior Counsel for International and Government Affairs Jeff Ballabon condemned the Biden Administration’s failures to support Israel.

Watch the full broadcast below: