Following a months-long investigation into the Hamilton Hall occupation during last spring’s pro-Palestinian protests, Columbia University’s judicial board has issued sanctions against dozens of students. Penalties ranged from multi-year suspensions and temporary degree revocations to expulsions, reflecting the severity of individual actions. The university did not specify the number of students affected by each sanction. This action comes amidst other controversies, including a lawsuit by CAIR challenging the university’s release of student disciplinary records to Congress and the arrest of a student activist by federal immigration authorities.
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Following the fatal stabbing of 19-year-old Amir Mohammad Khaleghi near Tehran University, student protests erupted, fueled by accusations of negligence and inadequate security. The demonstrations, met with a heavy security presence and arrests, have spread to other universities nationwide, with students chanting slogans against the government and demanding accountability. Prominent figures, including exiled Prince Reza Pahlavi and Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi, have voiced support for the protesters. In response, the government announced security upgrades and an investigation, though the potential for further escalation remains.
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Approximately 55 Patch Middle School students in Stuttgart, Germany, staged a walkout protesting the Pentagon’s elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in military schools. The protest coincided with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s visit, who has prioritized removing DEI programs, citing their divisiveness. The walkout, which lasted about 50 minutes, was deemed a peaceful expression of opinion by school officials. The Pentagon’s actions have resulted in book removals, disbanding of student organizations, and a review of curriculum materials across military schools.
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Massive student-led protests, the largest in Serbian history, erupted following a deadly railway station collapse attributed to government corruption and negligence. Demonstrations, fueled by widespread anger over government accountability and authoritarian rule, have spread nationwide, encompassing various social groups. The protests, unlike previous opposition-led movements, are characterized by a decentralized student-led structure, effectively circumventing state-controlled media. Despite government attempts at appeasement, including a ministerial resignation, the protests continue, driven by youth unemployment and a desire for democratic reform.
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The University of Michigan suspended Students Allied for Freedom and Equality (SAFE), a pro-Palestinian student group, for two years, revoking its funding and event-space access due to violations of university conduct standards. These violations stemmed from protests, including a demonstration at a regent’s home and an unauthorized campus encampment, related to demands for divestment from companies with ties to Israel. The suspension, announced two weeks before President Trump’s executive order addressing antisemitism on campuses, can be lifted early if SAFE fulfills the sanctions and attends policy meetings with university officials. The university maintains its commitment to free speech while enforcing policies ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for all.
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On New Year’s Eve, tens of thousands of protesters, primarily university students, demonstrated in Belgrade and other Serbian cities, demanding political reforms and justice following the November 1st collapse of a concrete canopy in Novi Sad that killed 15. The protests, under the slogan “There is No New Year — You Still Owe Us for the Old One,” cite corruption and substandard construction as causes of the tragedy, blaming the populist Serbian leadership. While the government indicted 13 individuals, protesters remain unsatisfied, calling for further accountability for alleged corrupt dealings during the train station renovation.
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As I sit here reflecting on the situation unfolding at Columbia University, my mind is filled with a myriad of thoughts and emotions. Large numbers of New York City police officers are making their way onto the campus, responding to protests and unrest that have escalated dramatically. Student reporters from the university station have been diligently reporting live, trying to capture every moment as it happens. It’s a chaotic scene, filled with tension and uncertainty.
The protests at Columbia University, centered around the Israel-Palestine conflict, have sparked a wave of controversy and division. It’s disheartening to see fellow students pitted against each other, with differing opinions and beliefs clashing in such a volatile manner.… Continue reading
Georgia is making headlines once again, but this time for all the wrong reasons. Emory University is currently grappling with the fallout from the police response to a protest on campus. As an Emory graduate, I am disheartened and outraged by the excessive use of force against unarmed protestors. It is absurd to think that in the state of Georgia, a barber requires more training than a state trooper. The fact that armed shooters are met with complacency while peaceful protestors are met with aggression is a stark reminder of the skewed priorities of law enforcement.
The scenes of police brutality at Emory University are reminiscent of past atrocities where authorities have used excessive force to crush dissent.… Continue reading
In the midst of ongoing tension and turmoil, more than 100 protesters were arrested as police cleared an encampment at Emerson College. The scene of students peacefully protesting, advocating for their beliefs, suddenly turned into a chaotic display of law enforcement intervention. The question that arises is whether these arrests truly serve to deescalate the situation or further ignite the flames of dissent.
The swift action taken by authorities to disband the encampment raises concerns about the treatment of peaceful protesters. It seems contradictory that students expressing their opinions are met with handcuffs and legal repercussions, while those involved in violent acts against democracy are often allowed to go unpunished or face minimal consequences.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker