TOWN OF POUGHKEEPSIE – As the war continues in Gaza, protests in support of Palestine are appearing on college campuses across the United States.
In the Town of Poughkeepsie, tents have started appearing on the lawn of the Vassar College library with signs calling for a “Free Palestine” and a large sign calling the encampment “Liberation Lawn.”
The tents started showing up Sunday evening, one student said. By Wednesday morning, at least 20 tents were in a cordoned-off area of the lawn of the college that was founded in 1861. College publications place the student body at 2,430, with 55 percent of those classified as female.
College President Elizabeth Bradley acknowledged the growing number of protesters in an email sent to students, faculty, and staff. “As long as the demonstration remains peaceful and does not disrupt the learning environment, the college does not plan to remove the tents,” Bradley said.
On Tuesday night, the disruptive protest and building takeover at Columbia University was all but ended when the university called on the New York City Police Department to quell the uprising, resulting in several arrests.
“Let us keep in mind that some support the demonstration and some are concerned and find it offensive,” President Bradley also said.
