Last year, America was burning. Pro-Palestinian protests flooded the streets, filled with anti-Israel banners and symbols of terror organizations like Hamas, Hezbollah, and even ISIS and Al Qaeda. Uninformed young people began justifying Osama bin Laden, who was responsible for the deaths of about 3,000 Americans, injuries to thousands more, and trauma that brought America to its knees. Above all, antisemitic incidents skyrocketed, breaking records in a country that championed the values of freedom and liberalism.
While the neo-Marxist ideology that led to this complete identity confusion among young Americans hasn't been eliminated, there has been significant practical improvement, according to The New York Times. The number of pro-Palestinian protests this semester has decreased to less than a third compared to last year. Spring semester 2023 saw 3,000 such protests, while spring semester 2024, ending later this month, recorded only about 950 demonstrations. Last year saw about 3,000 arrests, while this year, only 50, with protests significantly less violent and aggressive.
According to The Times, colleges and universities have toughened their stance on protests, locked campus gates, and imposed stricter penalties on public disorder disruptors like tent protest participants who spread across campuses last year. While universities previously allowed rioters to occupy campus buildings, with most escaping punishment, in this year's only such incident at the University of Minnesota, 11 people were immediately arrested after taking over a campus building. At Pomona College in California, the president exercised "extraordinary authority" to bypass standard disciplinary procedures and immediately suspend or detain several pro-Palestinian protesters who occupied a building on October 7 this year.
Harvard, still reeling from the public relations disaster caused by former President Claudine "it depends on the context" Gay, appointed Jewish Alan Garber as university president. Under his leadership, the university banned dozens of students and faculty members from libraries after participating in a silent protest, where they sat quietly at library tables with signs opposing the war in Gaza. A Harvard spokesperson said protests are prohibited in libraries or other campus areas used for academic activities.
The University of Pennsylvania and Indiana University fought against students' attempts to hold silent protests. According to The Times, universities maintain contact with police who have increased presence at some protests, and institutions impose restrictions on demonstrations – what is allowed and forbidden, locations, and timing.
