Seven Arrested at Brandeis University During Palestinian Protest, Questions Raised on Free Speech
Source: Unsplash/ Joe Yates
Hoodline
Yesterday, Brandeis University experienced heightened tensions after a protest supporting Palestinians in Gaza resulted in seven arrests, which included university students and alumni. The arrests occurred after police ordered the dispersal of the demonstrators, who had congregated in response to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, according to the Boston Globe.
As reported by Boston 25 News, the arrested protesters were charged with assault and battery on a police officer, unlawful assembly, disorderly conduct, and trespassing. It follows the ban the university imposed on a pro-Palestinian student group for their open support of Hamas, raising questions about the institution’s approach to freedom of speech.
Behind Brandeis University’s Shapiro Campus Center, the protest held by the Revolutionary Student Organization – Brandeis, drew about 100 attendees. The demonstrators held banners emblazoned with slogans such as “Ceasefire” and “Death to Imperialism,” joining to protest the Israeli attacks on Gaza. The Boston Globe reports that the group has explicitly demanded that the university divest from the economy related to the Palestinian genocide and uphold the rights of pro-Palestine voices on campus.
The situation escalated as police, surrounding the rally, asked protesters to leave. University administrators later emailed the Brandeis community, explaining that despite the warning to refrain from hate speech, multiple protesters persisted in ignoring the advice. Police declared the assembly unlawful, resulting in the arrest of those refusing to leave the area, per the Boston Globe.
Escalations reached a new peak when the remaining protesters began marching away from the student center. A Waltham police van arrived, and several individuals were detained and placed in handcuffs. A university spokesperson later shared detailed the charges.
An email sent to students by the university reaffirmed that free speech and expression do not extend to threats or harassment. Words or phrases promoting violence or death fall outside of free speech realms, the Brandies reiterated in it’s schoolwide notice.
Observers of the incident reported being unsettled by the day’s events. Fear of university retaliation dissuaded students from openly sharing their names. The community’s division over the Israel-Hamas conflict was evident; many students claimed that voicing an independent opinion is challenging unless associated with a specific group.
Afterward, the police’s use of force came under scrutiny with accusations of brutality and allegations of free speech infringements. In response, the university administration emphasized their commitment to open dialogue and mutual respect, intending to foster engagement within the community.
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In my experience, Skeptical, all groups calling for a ceasefire in Israel (including one I belong to here in New Plymouth) are being labeled as pro-Hamas and anti-Semitic.
1) Brandeis is a historically JEWISH university. I don't know the current stats, but I am sure that the Jewish heritage and makeup of the student body is strong. It is also a PRIVATE university.
2) The student group which was banned is National Students for Justice in Palestine. Apparently the national group supports Hamas, which carried out the Oct 7 attacks and which calls for the elimination of Israel. Brandeis issued the following statement in giving a reason for the ban:
"National SJP has called on its chapters to engage in conduct that supports Hamas in its call for the elimination of the only Jewish state in the world and its people," the school told NBC10 Boston at the time. "Such expression is not protected by Brandeis' principles of free speech."