Arrest at Columbia: Anti-Genocide Protest

Donald Trump's legal team, led by deputy attorney general Todd Blanche, is threatening to pursue terrorism charges against universities and student protesters involved in demonstrations against war crimes and ethnic cleansing. This threat comes amidst escalating protests and crackdowns across US university campuses, specifically targeting pro-Palestinian activism. The article outlines the historical precedent of governments using such accusations to suppress dissent and delegitimize political opposition, drawing parallels to McCarthyism and the Palmer Raids. The article emphasizes the broader context of the crackdown, linking it to the ongoing war in Gaza and the US government's support for Israel. It argues that the repression of protests is aimed at stifling opposition to US foreign policy and the interests of the ruling class. The piece further contends that the actions taken against students and faculty are part of a broader assault on democratic rights, freedom of speech, and academic freedom. The article positions these actions as a sign of the fragility of bourgeois democracy and the state's willingness to resort to authoritarian measures to maintain power. It calls for the defense of democratic rights and the exposure of the political motivations behind the attacks on student protesters and universities. The author suggests these repressive measures highlight the need for a socialist alternative to the current political and economic system. find the original article here: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/03/15/eimn-m15.html