TRENTON, NJ – As “Free Palestine” protesters set up camp at Rutgers University outside Scott Hall, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has remained silent on the nationwide protests that have been targeting Jewish students and barring Jewish students from attending class.
There is now a ‘liberated zone’ established at Rutgers University where Jewish students feel unwelcomed and threatened. Protesters have threatened to shut down school operations, posting signs reading, “No school until Gaza has school”.
New Jersey is home to one of America’s largest Jewish populations at 6.7%. That leaves it only behind New York and Washington, D.C.
While the ‘mostly peaceful’ protest at Rutgers continues, New York City SWAT teams broke up the violent protest at Columbia University after Jewish students were denied entry, harassed and intimidated by protesters chanting “intifida”.
Rutgers has a standing policy on protests that reads, “The right to freedom of expression includes peaceful protests and orderly demonstrations. However, the right to protest does not include the right to engage in conduct that intentionally or recklessly interferes with the University’s operations or infringes on the rights of other members of the community. Faculty, students, and all other personnel who intentionally act to impair, interfere with, or obstruct the orderly conduct, processes, and functions of the University may be subject to appropriate disciplinary action by University authorities.”
However, protesters have delivered a list of demands which include divesting all interests in Israel, displaying the palestinian flag at the university, creation of an Arab cultural center, give ten Gazan students a free four-year tuition, and to provide full amnesty for protesters.
The protest itself has already been deemed ‘defamatory’ and ‘threatening’ by pundits who claim the recent actions against Jews at other campuses reflects on the current occupation by protesters at Rutgers University.
University President Jonathan Hollaway announced his support for the protesters as they remain relatively peaceful so far.
“Our students want to make a difference in a struggle that has cost far too many innocent lives and that threatens so many more. I respect their right to protest in ways that do not interfere with university operations or with the ability of their fellow students to learn,” he said.