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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The Most Revolutionary Act 
Brandeis was a member of the Zionist Movement – do the students know that?
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I looked Brandeis up on-line, to find out where it’s located. It was started as a private institution by Jewish interests in 1948 on the site of a previous college in Waltham, Massachusetts. It claims to be non-sectarian, but recent events call that claim into question.
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My husband worked there – yup
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Wow. I had had no idea. I guess their mistreatment of anti-genocide protestors is no surprise then.
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“the university administration emphasized their commitment to open dialogue and mutual respect, intending to foster engagement within the community.”
It’s a bit late for “dialogue and mutual respect,” when my head’s been busted in by overzealous cops when I was just, supposedly, exercising my right to free speech, which does not seem to apply these days. Are people getting it yet? The fact that we don’t have ANY rights? Some of us of a certain skin tone, tried to clue folks in, but as usual, no one paid us any mind. Now, it’s come round to others and they’re probably not liking it too much, what with sore heads and all.
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Excellent point, Shelby. People only have rights if they fight for them. I think it was Frederick Douglass that said that (or something like it).
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