There must be a protest manual that says tents are a vital part of any occupation because in a new “occupation” at Fordham University in New York the students are setting up tents.
Tents. Inside.
NOW – Fordham University students in NYC erect a green tent city occupying the Lincoln Center, to create a “Gaza solidarity encampment.”@disclosetv pic.twitter.com/3c4F3aH5wb
— Laura Faye (@pinkykisses) May 1, 2024
I have a serious question: how can any person stand being around all the drums and chants? Are these human beings or just robots programmed to grunt, shout hateful slogans, and make noise?
Honestly. How is tolerating that for more than a minute possible?
However you feel about the Gaza or Israel situation, you have to admit that these protestors are Leftist idiots who don’t advance any cause or movement.
Now Fordham University is joining in the protests right in the center of Manhattan!
This stuff is RIDICULOUS and influencing… pic.twitter.com/IFEeDOQUpi
— Joey Mannarino (@JoeyMannarinoUS) May 1, 2024
Fordham appears to be considering its options–police are already gathering around the building, although as I write this, they are just monitoring the situation and preventing non-students from entering. Why they are letting students enter is beyond me. I assume that Fordham doesn’t want to look like fascists or something.
There are now about as many police officers outside the Fordham encampment as there are students inside. Anyone without a student ID is being turned away at every gate to the university. A small rally is gathering outside to chant alongside the students inside. https://t.co/pIewdYkVdf pic.twitter.com/SbqDy6K48V
— Sophie Hurwitz (@sophiehurwitz) May 1, 2024
There are a couple simple and nonviolent things these universities could do to deal with these protests while avoiding anything like Kent State.
First, follow the Florida/Texas model and disperse the encampments immediately before they get entrenched; second, arrest, prosecute, and most importantly, expel any students breaking the law or campus rules. Anybody who is not a student should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law and sued into bankruptcy.
This isn’t a free speech activity. Not even close. These are illegal actions that have led to violence. They are riots or proto-riots, which should have severe consequences.
About 100 people outside Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus supporting the Gaza solidarity encampment that started this morning in the lobby. pic.twitter.com/2zENvWttaS
— Jeff Coltin (@JCColtin) May 1, 2024
These schools charge tens of thousands a year to attend; the protesters are quite literally cheating every student, not participating in their opportunity to get the most out of their money. The right to “speak” does not extend to the right to harm others.
The schools themselves should refund every dime to students who aren’t participating in these demonstrations. Not doing so, at least if the school tolerates this activity for any period of time, is a kind of fraud.
“We will ‘educate’ you, as long as nobody decides to interfere with that.” The schools have a responsibility to do their utmost to provide the service they promised to those who abide by the rules.
As Larry O’Connor said in his video, Florida is doing it right: