There were reports that Jewish undergraduates on many campuses in the United States were increasingly worried about their safety. At the same time, there are reports that Muslims, Arabs, and others feel threatened off campus. The situation is again reminiscent of students from mainland China's concerns over intimidation and safety in Hong Kong in 2019.
However, some students are understandably concerned that conflicts and atrocities occurring around the world that may be impacting them or their families are not receiving enough attention.
One of the affected US universities is also my alma mater, so I have been paying close attention from the beginning as tensions rise and the situation escalates. Opinions vary widely regarding student tactics and the appropriate level of response.
From the beginning, university leaders, trustees, and management have encouraged engagement and dialogue and worked to find manageable solutions. Despite these efforts, many demonstrators are only willing to participate if their demands are met.
Similarly, in Hong Kong in 2019, protesters refused dialogue unless five demands were met. As a result, an extreme and violent conflict occurred between the two of them on the university campus. Protesters began wearing face masks to hide their identities, allowing outside influencers to enter the campus. Their goal was sedition, aggression and violence escalated, and university administrators were left in the lurch. They were tasked with protecting students from potential confrontations with police, but were also forced to call on police to restore normal operations on campus and enforce law and order. We are seeing similar situations occurring on campuses in the United States.
From New York to Los Angeles, students protesting are demanding that universities divorce from companies that profit from wars and support the Israeli government and military.
They are calling for greater transparency in how universities manage and invest their endowments. Alumni and other benefactors often contribute to these capital pools, which support operating expenses, scholarships, and research and educational activities.
However, the deep ties between American companies and the military could complicate the sale process.
So far, universities across the country have felt the need to allow police to remove protesters, with more than 1,000 people arrested on more than 25 campuses in at least 21 states. Tear gas and stun grenades were also used. But some of their decisions have been criticized by those concerned about the impact on free speech.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson answers questions from the media after meeting with Jewish students as pro-Palestinian students and activists protest the Israel-Hamas war on the Columbia University campus in New York on April 24. Photo: AFP
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson escalated tensions by proposing sending in the National Guard to restore order at Columbia University. He also called for the president's resignation. Pro-Palestinian student demonstrators have been suspended from Columbia University and other universities for failing to voluntarily leave campus when asked to do so. Several pro-Palestinian student demonstrators were also suspended for violating university regulations.
In Paris, university authorities recently called the police to break up a tent occupation at the prestigious research university Science Pole, and demonstrations also broke out at the Sorbonne University in Paris.
Students at Rome's Sapienza University followed suit. Students at Oxford University disrupted a speech by former U.S. House of Commons Speaker Nancy Pelosi, while others are rallying support at University College London and the University of Warwick. Protests have also been held at the Universities of Sydney and Melbourne in Australia.
The chaos on university campuses is likely to continue until the Israel-Gaza war ends. In the meantime, the situation will continue to present significant challenges. As was the case in Hong Kong in 2019, opinions are polarized among students, faculty, and alumni. Communities and families may be divided and it may no longer be a topic of discussion, but that does not mean the healing process has truly begun.
Bernard Chan is a Hong Kong businessman and former Chairman of the Executive Council
