WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, Indivisible Co-Executive Director Leah Greenberg issued the following statement after arrests and violence against students who are exercising their First Amendment right to protest against college and university support for the Israeli government’s assault on Gaza:
“We are appalled by the violent suppression of peaceful protesters at college campuses, whether through aggressive police tactics or violent counter-protesters. These actions strike at the heart of our core American freedoms of speech and assembly, safeguarded by the First Amendment.
“The introduction of militarized law enforcement onto our campuses jeopardizes the safety of all students—Jewish, Muslim, and Palestinian alike—and runs counter to the essence of what our educational institutions should embody. Our campuses should be centers for learning, community, and free dialogue, not militarized zones patrolled by officers in riot gear or National Guard troops.
“Such measures make our academic environments less safe and do not protect against antisemitism; rather, they misuse our communities as a pretext to quash dissent. It's crucial that responsible leaders act immediately to de-escalate tensions, promoting a culture of dialogue over confrontation and excessive shows of force.
“Our movement will always support the right to non-violent protest, a fundamental tactic in our ongoing efforts to defend democracy against authoritarian, anti-democratic forces who wish to erode our basic rights. We continue to reject antisemitic, anti-Palestinian, or Islamophobic language and actions — whether at these protests or elsewhere. And we continue to call for a ceasefire that will free the hostages, end the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and secure a durable peace for Israelis and Palestinians.
“University administrators, law enforcement, and policymakers must honor the values of openness, education, and civil discourse, and ensure our campuses remain places where these ideals can thrive without fear of violence or repression.”
###