Another day, another student protest popped off on a college campus. Monday was no different than any other day with college protesters and the outside agitators that infiltrated the demonstrations.
Let’s look at Tulane University, a private school in New Orleans.
Tuition and fees cost $68,678 per year, according to the school’s website. Housing costs $10,758 and the minimally required meal plan costs $8,110. Books and supplies cost about $700. It adds up.
Imagine being a parent who is paying that kind of money to send their child to a good school and this is what happens – your son or daughter is so indoctrinated into a culture of death and destruction that they join in with antisemites and Marxists.
On Monday, students began to set up an encampment on campus and three buildings had to be closed. About 200 protesters participated in the demonstration. The number of protesters easily outnumbered the dozen Tulane University police officers and four mounted New Orleans Police Department officers who were on the scene. that responded. The news of this mayhem broke Monday evening.
Six tents were put up and demonstrators linked arms around the encampment as police looked on. Students chanted a demand that Tulane divest from investments in Israel.
It wasn’t clear how many demonstrators were detained by police, though at least two were handcuffed. Tulane spokesperson Mike Strecker couldn’t immediately provide any updates on how many people were taken into custody. Tulane sent out the order to evacuate Gibson, Dinwiddie and Tilton Memorial halls at 6:06 p.m. The tents were in place by 6:30 p.m.
“We have just established the free Gaza university,” said protester Jack Saucier after the group successfully pitched the tents. “We are going to take back our right to public space. We are going to stay here until the university meets our demands. We will stay peaceful until that is done.”
“Disclose, divest, we will not stop we will not rest,” the protesters chanted.
Oh. “The free Gaza university” has been established in uptown New Orleans.
A group of counter-protesters waved Israeli flags. Tulane, like other colleges around the country, has experienced pro-Hamas protests since the Israel-Hamas war began. The protests are turning more violent everywhere, including at Tulane.
In New Orleans, pro-Palestinian protests have taken place near the campuses of Tulane and Loyola since the start of the Israel-Hamas war last year. They’ve been largely peaceful, though a demonstration on Freret Street in October turned violent when a demonstrator attempted to burn an Israeli flag.
On Friday, dozens of Loyola and Tulane briefly students shut down a stretch of St. Charles Avenue during a pro-Palestinian protest, asking the universities to denounce the war and divest from Israel. No arrests were made.
On Sunday afternoon, a smallish demonstration occurred at Jackson Square. Arrests were made as police broke it up when the closing time for the square arrived. Protesters turned violent and four officers were injured.
It is reported this morning that tents remained up overnight. Some classes were canceled and some were held remotely. Six arrests were made. Those arrested refused to identify themselves. They are accused of battery on a police officer, resisting arrest, and trespassing, among other offenses.
University police were joined by New Orleans Police, Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies, and Louisiana State Police troopers as law enforcement increased its presence. The university notified students, faculty, and staff on how to exit buildings due to the protest. Three buildings were evacuated.
“Local troopers are providing assistance to the NOPD and Tulane Police Department to ensure the safety of the students and residents in the area,” State Police spokesperson Sgt. Kate Stegall said. “LSP will continue to monitor the situation and assess the need for additional support.”
Kirk Bouyelas, Tulane’s associate vice president of Public Safety & Community Engagement, issued a statement late Monday night that said, “Today, participants in a protest that was unregistered and unsanctioned by Tulane University stormed university property and erected tents on the edge of the lawn in front of Gibson Hall near the sidewalk. After warning protestors not to enter Tulane property, TUPD officers began arresting individuals and clearing tents away. This is an ongoing situation.
“We had more than 40 law enforcement officers on hand before the protest, including TUPD and mounted police. Officers arrested six protesters thus far, who are refusing to identify themselves. Offenses include trespassing, battery on an officer and resisting arrest. We are working with local law enforcement and government officials to resolve the situation. The safety and well-being of the members of the Tulane community is our top priority.
What a mess.
The actions of a minority of students are disrupting the majority of students who just want to finish the semester and take final exams.
Where are the parents? Why didn’t school officials remove the encampment and disperse the protesters overnight? The students have taken over campus and those who are paid to lead the college have abandoned their jobs by allowing this to continue. Violence will increase as time goes on. This has to stop. These are not peaceful protests within college guidelines. This is anarchy. Dark money groups and Marxism are on the march.