All articles tagged with #gaza protests
Kamala Harris criticized the indictment of NY Attorney General Letitia James during a book tour event in DC, which was disrupted by protesters opposing Israel’s war in Gaza. Harris condemned the political motivations behind the indictment, linked it to Trump’s Justice Department, and addressed protests and issues like immigration enforcement and government shutdowns.
A federal judge in Boston ruled that the Trump administration's efforts to deport noncitizens for protesting the Gaza war were unconstitutional, citing violations of the First Amendment and targeting of political speech, with the court highlighting the repression reminiscent of the McCarthy era.
A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration violated the Constitution by targeting non-U.S. citizens for deportation based on their support for Palestinians and criticism of Israel, highlighting a serious threat to free speech and criticizing the administration's policies as arbitrary and unconstitutional.
A US immigration judge has ordered the deportation of Palestinian-American activist Mahmoud Khalil to Algeria or Syria for allegedly misrepresenting facts on his green card application, amid broader political tensions and his involvement in Gaza protests. Khalil plans to appeal, asserting retaliation for his free speech and activism, while facing accusations linked to his support for Palestine and his role in university protests.
A Colorado man accused of attacking a group with a flamethrower and incendiary devices, claiming he targeted a 'Zionist group' and supporting Palestine, has been charged with a federal hate crime and attempted murder. The attack injured 12 people during a Gaza hostage demonstration, and the suspect, Mohammed Sabry Soliman, confessed to planning the attack for a year. The incident is linked to broader tensions involving Israel, Palestine, and US immigration policies, with political and legal repercussions across the country.
UCLA workers, including researchers and graduate student teaching assistants, walked off the job to protest the university's handling of Gaza demonstrations on campus. They allege that UCLA's decision to call in outside law enforcement to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampments violated their First Amendment rights. The union, UAW 4811, demands no disciplinary actions against protesters and calls for the university's divestment from companies profiting from Israel's war on Gaza. The University of California has deemed the strike illegal, citing politically motivated demands, but the state labor board has ordered formal mediation.
Academic workers at UCLA and UC Davis will strike next Tuesday to protest the university system's handling of pro-Palestinian demonstrations, expanding a work stoppage that began at UC Santa Cruz. The university administration has labeled the strike "illegal" and is seeking a court-ordered injunction to end it.
Republican senator Tom Cotton has called for Americans to take matters into their own hands when encountering pro-Palestine supporters, amid ongoing Gaza protests in the US. Cotton labeled the protesters as "criminals" and expressed sympathy for those affected by the demonstrations. This is not the first time Cotton has expressed such sentiments, as he previously urged the deployment of the US military against Black Lives Matter protests in a controversial 2020 op-ed.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has criticized former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's comments suggesting that pro-Palestinian protesters at events with President Biden are "connected to Russia" as "delusional" and "authoritarian." Pelosi also called for an FBI investigation into the financing of the demonstrations and implied that the protesters' calls for a cease-fire were part of "Mr. Putin's message." CAIR's National Executive Director Nihad Awad condemned Pelosi's remarks, stating that they lacked evidence and were disturbing. Pelosi's office has not yet responded to CAIR's statement.
President Joe Biden is facing protests from progressives at his events over his administration's support for Israel in the Gaza conflict, as demonstrators repeatedly interrupt his speeches demanding a cease-fire. Biden is navigating the tensions within his party while honoring free speech rights, with the protests highlighting the challenges he faces in energizing Democrats and young voters. Despite disruptions, Biden and his aides emphasize the importance of peacefully protesting and stress his efforts to address the conflict with empathy and global security in mind, in contrast to how former President Trump handled dissent.
Pro-Palestinian protests have surged on college campuses, with tens of thousands of students demonstrating against the conflict in Gaza. This wave of activism, fueled by a generational divide, has led to heightened tensions, counterprotests, and even violence. Many of these young activists view the world as divided between the oppressed and their oppressors, drawing connections between the suffering of various marginalized groups and the struggle of Palestinians. While older Americans are surprised by the scope and intensity of these protests, a significant number of young people express sympathy for Hamas and believe that the October attack was justified. College presidents are grappling with the challenge of protecting free speech while addressing rising antisemitism and ensuring the safety of Jewish and Arab students.