Criticizing the crackdown on pro-Palestinian protests at US universities, Purdue University professor Burton Lee Artz stated that Washington has “lost its standing to talk to anybody about freedom of speech.” Since last month, student demonstrations against the war on Gaza have faced police violence and arrests. Artz highlighted that students have been suspended, faced criminal charges, and been evicted from dorms for protesting Israel’s actions, violating free speech and academic freedom. Comparing it to anti-Vietnam War protests, Artz noted that students calling for a ceasefire in Gaza are being unjustly labeled as antisemitic, including members of Jewish organizations. He emphasized that university crackdowns have led to more protests on campuses in the US and Europe.
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