All articles tagged with #student activism
Thousands of students across more than 20 Iranian cities protested changes to university entrance rules, calling for the removal of the fixed weighting of 11th-grade GPA on the national exam; protests also highlighted campus issues like food quality and resources, while authorities imposed suspensions and expulsions and tightened online restrictions as part of a broader crackdown on dissent.
On Jan. 30, 2026, Orange County students across Dana Point to Santa Ana walked out of classes to join a nationwide shutdown protesting ICE raids linked to Minneapolis' Operation Metro Surge; campuses including Capistrano Valley, Godinez, Valley, Irvine's Sage Hill and others organized peaceful demonstrations, underscoring youth-led activism, as advocates cite DHS data showing that only about 31% of detainees have criminal convictions.
Students at Harvard School of Public Health protested the abrupt removal of FXB Center director Mary Bassett, demanding transparency and reinstatement, amid concerns over opaque decision-making and the center's future direction.
Some young pro-Palestinian activists, like Harry Campbell, reflect on their protests supporting Gaza amid the Israel-Hamas cease-fire, expressing mixed feelings about the impact of their demonstrations and the lessons learned about power and politics.
Indonesian police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at student protesters near universities in Bandung, leading to injuries and raising concerns over police brutality amid nationwide protests against government spending and inequality, with calls for investigations into rights violations.
Harvard University, previously divided over issues like Gaza and free speech, has seen a unifying rally in support of international students, bringing together diverse campus groups including pro-Palestinian demonstrators and critics, indicating a moment of reconciliation amid ongoing tensions.
The University of Pennsylvania has issued new rules banning protest encampments and significantly restricting demonstrations on campus, following a wave of student activism against Israel's actions in Gaza. The new regulations, which aim to ensure safety and protect property, come after police cleared a pro-Palestinian encampment and arrested 33 people. The rules will be reviewed by a faculty-led task force in the next academic year.
Pro-Palestine protesters have occupied the president's office at Stanford University, demanding the addition of a divestment bill to the Board of Trustees meeting, financial transparency, and the dropping of charges against pro-Palestinian students. The group, consisting of around 10 students inside and 50 outside, has barricaded the building and renamed it "Dr. Adnan Office." Security and law enforcement are present, and the situation is ongoing.
Sam Waterston, known for his role in "Law & Order," addressed Princeton University's Class of 2024 during their Class Day, encouraging graduates to find their own answers and shape the world. The event, marked by student activism and unique traditions, highlighted the graduates' resilience through the pandemic and ongoing global issues. Waterston emphasized the importance of taking action and using their education to create a better future.
Pro-Palestinian protesters at Drexel University dismantled their encampment after the university decided to have police clear the area. University President John Fry emphasized the need to maintain campus safety and legality, while protesters claimed a strategic retreat. The incident is part of a broader wave of similar protests on campuses nationwide, leading to significant police involvement and administrative actions.
Hundreds of Harvard students walked out of the university's commencement ceremony in protest after 13 seniors were barred from graduating due to their involvement in campus demonstrations over the Gaza conflict. The decision by the Harvard Corporation sparked significant unrest, with chants of "Let them walk!" and criticism from student speakers. The university's interim president, Alan Garber, acknowledged the turmoil and asked for a minute of silence to reflect on global suffering.
The heads of Northwestern, UCLA, and Rutgers will testify before the Republican-led House Committee on Education and the Workforce regarding accusations of antisemitism at their institutions. This follows a series of pro-Palestinian protest encampments on their campuses. The committee criticizes the universities' handling of the protests, with Rutgers and Northwestern negotiating with demonstrators and UCLA calling in police only after violence erupted. The university leaders acknowledge the presence of antisemitism but defend their actions to address it.
A Barnard College student, Maryam Iqbal, complained about being locked out of her dorm for an hour after being released from jail following her arrest during anti-Israel protests at Columbia University. She and other students were suspended and evicted from housing by Barnard after the NYPD was called to arrest over 100 protesters. The college administration warned students to leave the encampment or face suspension, and at least 108 protesters were arrested and slapped with trespassing summonses during the NYPD clear-out. Columbia president Minouche Shafik authorized the crackdown, citing violations of rules and policies by the encampment organizers.
Over 100 students were arrested at Columbia University after the police were called in to dismantle a pro-Palestinian encampment, leading to heightened tensions on campus. The university's president, Nemat Shafik, authorized the police intervention, citing extraordinary circumstances and a need to balance free speech with the protection of students from harassment. The crackdown followed months of pro-Palestinian demonstrations and clashes with university policies, prompting criticism from civil liberties groups and alumni. The move reflects a broader trend of universities taking a tougher stance on student protests, with some institutions suspending and expelling students for disruptive behavior.
More than 100 pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested at Columbia University as police cleared their encampment, leading to the suspension of involved students, including Isra Hirsi, daughter of US Representative Ilhan Omar. The university's president authorized the police action, citing breaches of rules and policies, while New York City Mayor Eric Adams defended the arrests for trespassing. The clash reflects ongoing demonstrations at universities since the Israel-Gaza war began, with a separate protest at the University of Southern California in support of a Muslim student whose valedictorian speech was cancelled due to safety concerns related to her opposition to the Israeli assault on Gaza.