An Investigation into the Causes of Student Protests at American Universities in 2024

Columbia University has been a pioneer in anti-racism, anti-discrimination, and anti-war demonstrations for 50 years, and hosted anti-Vietnam War and anti-racism demonstrations in the United States in 1968. After Israel's attacks on Gaza, it has become a center for demonstrations in support of Palestine. On April 17, 2024, a series of protests in the form of occupation of public spaces began at Columbia University in New York City, with the backdrop of student protests related to the Israel-Hamas war. Pro-Palestinian students set up a camp of 50 tents on the campus, which they called the Gaza Solidarity Camp, and demanded a disinvestment in Israel. The university president authorized the New York City Police Department to raid the campus and make mass arrests, and the camp was forcibly dismantled by police forces. The present study, using a descriptive-analytical method and using library resources and reputable sites, examined the causes of student protests in American universities in 2024. The results showed that the recent protests in American universities have important consequences in both domestic and foreign arenas that should not be underestimated. Despite the suppression of student gatherings and Biden's resistance to the demands of students and professors, their strong presence will gradually affect the decision-making processes of the US government regarding the Gaza war and the approaches supporting the Zionist regime. The suppression of the recent student protests, which is an important historical experience in America, will not only not control the protesters, but will also lead more neutral and gray populations in America to "support Palestine."