The recent surge of pro-Palestinian demonstrations on college campuses took many by surprise and reverberated across the country. However, the strategic approach behind some of these protests was the culmination of extensive training, planning, and support from longstanding activists and left-leaning groups.
Leading up to the dismantling of encampments at Columbia University's New York City campus and the eviction of demonstrators from an academic building, student organizers engaged in consultations with organizations like the National Students for Justice in Palestine (NSJP), drawing on the experiences of past protests against Columbia's expansion into Harlem.
They also attended a community meeting on gentrification, studied the parallels between the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and local issues, and participated in a "teach-in" organized by former Black Panthers to understand how to manage internal disputes within their movement.
While there is no centralized command overseeing the student movement against Israel's actions in Gaza, there are connections between established far-left groups and the protesters.
NSJP, which has been active for approximately two decades with over 300 chapters nationwide, played a significant role in organizing college encampments and building occupations. NSJP has consistently urged students to pressure colleges to divest from entities with ties to Israel, using social media to share videos and updates from protests and promoting events like a "day of resistance" as early as October.
Over time, NSJP's messaging became more assertive. On April 25, they posted on social media, "The Student Movement for Palestinian Liberation will not be silenced; we will escalate until our demands are met.
" The group also provided practical advice to protesters, such as wearing comfortable clothing and running shoes, carrying water and energy bars, and being aware of police tactics.
On April 29, NSJP introduced a new chant, "No divestment, no commencement," indicating their intention to disrupt upcoming graduation ceremonies. Some NSJP chapters have faced suspensions from universities, including at Columbia.
NSJP's funding has been managed by the WESPAC Foundation for the past decade, according to WESPAC's board chairman, Howard Horowitz. WESPAC, a nonprofit based near New York City, has a history of supporting humanitarian causes but has also been accused of propagating antisemitism, including endorsing protests that refer to President Biden as "Genocide Joe."
In March, Columbia University faced controversy over a scheduled "Resistance 101" training session, featuring speakers from Samidoun: Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network. The event, which the university administration twice barred, was eventually held virtually, leading to the suspension of several Columbia students by President Minouche Shafik.
Samidoun coordinator Charlotte Kates reportedly encouraged students to support Hamas, a group designated as a terrorist organization by several countries. Despite being banned by the German government for supporting terrorism and antisemitism, Samidoun did not respond to requests for comment.
Political scientist Robert Pape noted that while outside organizers play a role in the protests, they leverage social media to appeal to young people unfamiliar with the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He expects protests to continue through the summer and fall.
Despite accusations of antisemitism, protesters argue that many participants, including those in encampments, are Jewish themselves. Student organizers have emphasized the discipline and organization necessary for effective protest movements, citing their experiences in movements like Black Lives Matter and student labor organizing.
These students have demonstrated practical skills, such as fundraising for tents and organizing self-defense teams. UCLA's encampment, for example, implemented nonviolent de-escalation training for participants, highlighting a level of discipline and organization not seen in previous generations of pro-Palestinian activists.
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