Protest Held At Vanderbilt – VIDEO
A student protest at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee turned chaotic this week as a group of students demanded the inclusion of a BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) amendment on a student ballot. The amendment, which would prevent student government funds from being allocated to businesses that support Israel, was previously removed by university officials due to concerns about potential conflicts with federal and state laws.
The protest began on Tuesday with about 30 students staging a sit-in at the chancellor’s office. Security personnel and administrators attempted to control the situation, but the students pushed past them to enter the lobby. Despite warnings of possible suspensions and removal from the building, the students continued their demonstration, with over 30 more students joining them on the steps outside.
According to statements made by the university, the decision to remove the amendment was based on potential legal issues. However, the protestors were not satisfied with this explanation and believed that the university was suppressing their freedom of speech. The group, known as Vanderbilt’s Divest Coalition, accused the administration of silencing their views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
NEW: Yesterday Vanderbilt students pushed their way into a campus building to conduct a sit-in in the lobby of the chancellor’s office: pic.twitter.com/2HXQ6Md1Y2
— Steve McGuire (@sfmcguire79) March 27, 2024
The tension between the protesters and the administration escalated when the university allegedly began withholding food and bathroom access to the students. Some of the demonstrators claimed that they were not allowed to have food or medicine brought to them, and were not permitted to use the restroom. This led to some students resorting to urinating in bottles. A student inside the building also reported that they feared being arrested for public indecency if they attempted to use the restroom.
The situation took a turn when a female student allegedly needed to change her tampon but was afraid to get up and do so out of fear of being arrested. Her friend ended up calling 911, but the operator’s response only added fuel to the fire. The operator reportedly told the caller that they should go to a hospital for medical treatment, rather than calling the police. This shows the level of frustration and desperation the students were feeling in this situation.
As tensions continued to rise, reports surfaced that the demonstrators were not being given food or water, while police officers on the scene were reportedly given food from Panera Bread. The initial frustration felt by the protesters quickly turned into anger when they learned that officers were being taken care of while they were not.
NEW: Protestors occupying the chancellor’s office at Vanderbilt try to shame a black police officer:
“You are black in America, and you’re NOT standing with the marginalized people of the world. What does that make you?!” pic.twitter.com/4aPCGXUSVR
— Steve McGuire (@sfmcguire79) March 26, 2024
After nearly 24 hours of protesting, the situation finally came to an end when the university decided to remove all students from the building in the early morning hours. Four students were arrested and 16 were issued suspensions for their involvement in the sit-in. Reports also indicate that one student was “nearing toxic shock” and required medical attention, but was still not allowed to use the restroom without being removed from the premises. The student ultimately had to remove their tampon within the sit-in area.
The university’s handling of the situation has sparked debate among students and faculty members. Some feel that the administration should have taken a stronger stance against the students, considering they were essentially violating university rules by staging a sit-in. Others believe that the university should have allowed the amendment to be included on the ballot, as it is an expression of free speech.
Regardless of personal opinions, the events at Vanderbilt University serve as a reminder that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a highly contentious topic, even on college campuses. While everyone has the right to express their views, it is important to do so in a peaceful and respectful manner. The situation at Vanderbilt should serve as a lesson for all parties involved to strive for constructive dialogue and open-mindedness, rather than resorting to extreme measures.