CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — A tense atmosphere prevailed at MIT following another clash between pro-Palestinian protesters and police on Thursday afternoon. The protesters, who have entrenched themselves in a parking garage critical to the university’s operations, are demanding that MIT sever its funding ties with the Israeli Ministry of Defense.
Hannah Didehbani, an MIT student and one of the protest’s organizers, explained their choice of location: “We targeted this parking lot because it’s vital for MIT’s daily functions, and they’ve been disregarding our demands for months.”
The confrontation led to some protesters being detained. The situation escalated earlier in the week when hundreds of protesters extended their demonstration to Mass Ave, significantly disrupting the afternoon commute.
Amidst the protests, concerns about safety and unrest have emerged among the Jewish student community. “It’s a bit scary. It feels like there’s anarchy on campus and no one’s really managing the situation,” remarked Marilyn Meyers, a senior at MIT.
MIT administration has begun taking disciplinary actions against the protesters. “Yesterday I received a suspension and eviction notice, but wasn’t actually locked out of my dorm. This morning, they emailed saying they’d allow us to stay in our housing until May 15th,” Didehbani shared, underscoring her determination to continue protesting despite these measures.
Jewish students are advocating for a more decisive response from the university. Meyers expressed a need for stronger actions: “I think some professors need to be fired for endorsing the chaos and harassing students. We need more than suspensions; expulsions are necessary.”
As tensions mount, Meyers also voiced concerns about potential disruptions to upcoming graduation ceremonies, a significant milestone that could be overshadowed by the ongoing protests.
The university has yet to announce plans for dismantling the encampment, leaving the campus community in a state of uncertainty.