Columbia Echoes of 1968: Campus Protests Reflect Historical Tensions

New York City Police History Repeats Itself

Pro-Palestinian Arrests Uncover Similarities to 1968 Protests

Columbia University's recent pro-Palestinian demonstrations and arrests have drawn comparisons to the campus protests of 1968. Like the protests of decades past, the current unrest stems from tensions surrounding social justice and political activism.

In 1968, Columbia students occupied university buildings in protest against the Vietnam War and the university's construction of a gymnasium on contested land in Harlem. The protests culminated in a violent clash with police, resulting in hundreds of arrests.

The current protests echo those of 1968, with students using demonstrations to voice their opposition to perceived injustices. However, the specific issues and motivations have shifted. While the focus of the 1968 protests was military involvement and university expansion, the current protests center on solidarity with the Palestinian cause and concerns about university divestment.

Despite these differences, the underlying themes of social activism and protest remain prevalent. The Columbia protests, both past and present, highlight the ongoing role of college students as agents of change within society.