Sweeping pro-Palestinian protests at college campuses in the U.S. have spurred similar encampments at universities across the globe, as student activists in multiple countries protest their own universities’ stances on the war in Gaza and urge divestment from firms connected to Israel.
Encampments have sprung up across Canada, the U.K., France and Australia.
French police removed student activists at Paris-based Sciences Po after students occupied campus buildings, multiple outlets reported Friday, with Reuters reporting the university shut down its main campus for the day.
An encampment at Paris-based Sorbonne University’s courtyard was also cleared by French police on Monday, according to the Associated Press.
Pro-Palestinian student activists have also set up encampments across universities in Australia, including in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Canberra.
Universities across the United Kingdom—including Oxford University and University College London—have also begun protesting, and The Guardian reported Wednesday protests were scheduled at least six universities with more expected to follow.
Encampments also sprung up at several universities across Canada, namely at the University of Toronto, Montreal's McGill University, the University of Ottawa and two universities in the British Columbia province.
Protesters outside of Paris-based Sciences Po on April 26.
Protesters outside of the University of Sydney on Friday.
A protester holding up a Palestinian flag Thursday at the University of Toronto.
Demonstrators outside of the University of Sydney on Friday.
Activists outside of Sorbonne University.
On Thursday, President Joe Biden spoke out about the nationwide encampments, defending “peaceful protest,” but saying “violent protest is not protected.” “Look, it’s basically a matter of fairness. It’s a matter of what’s right. There’s the right to protest, but not the right to cause chaos,” Biden said. The president also said he does not support calling in the National Guard to intervene with the protests.
Columbia University students set up encampments on April 17 to protest Israel’s war in Gaza. The protests seek to pressure the university to sever financial ties with companies involved with Israel and the Israeli military. Similar encampments began springing up at other universities across the nation, including Dartmouth and UCLA. Police have arrested more than 1,000 individuals at campuses across the country, and appeared to fire rubber bullets at UCLA protesters.
More Than 1,000 Arrested At Campus Protests In Past Week: Here’s Where They’re Happening (Forbes)
French police evacuate pro-Palestinian students from Sciences Po after overnight sit-in (Reuters)
UK students begin new wave of protests against Gaza war after US arrests (The Guardian)
Biden Condemns ‘Chaos’ Amid Tense Campus Protests—Doesn’t Support Calling In National Guard (Forbes)