University Rally for Palestinian Rights Ends in Arrests and Controversy
A rally for Palestinian rights at Brandeis University on Friday ended in chaos and arrests as police clashed with protesters, leading to a scene that was described as “intimidating” and “antithetical to a learning environment” by university leaders.
The rally, which was organized by the Revolutionary Student Organization – Brandeis, aimed to demand that the university stop supporting the occupation’s economy and institutions, as well as to end the repression of pro-Palestine voices on campus. As more than 200 people were taken hostage by Hamas during its recent attack on Israel, tensions ran high at the rally as protesters chanted “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”, prompting police to use a loudspeaker to demand the protesters leave.
As the situation escalated, police moved to dismiss the crowd, with some protesters refusing to disperse. Seven people were ultimately arrested on charges including assault and battery on a police officer, unlawful assembly, disorderly conduct, and trespassing. The confrontation between police and protesters led to a divided atmosphere within the Brandeis community, with many students expressing shock and fear of speaking out.
University administrators emphasized their commitment to open dialogue about the complex issues surrounding the Israel-Hamas war, but condemned the rally’s atmosphere as intimidating and disrespectful. Andrea Burns, a woman from Boston who came out to support the students in the rally, criticized the police’s use of force, calling it “cruel” and “barbaric.”
Following the incident, university leaders promised to provide opportunities for community members to reflect and engage respectfully with one another in the future. The fallout from the rally and subsequent arrests continues to highlight the deep-seated divisions within the Brandeis student body and the wider community.