#Columbia Scolds Students for “Unsanctioned” #GazaRally Where They Were Attacked With Chemicals
Two people reportedly sprayed an odious chemical at protesters, leaving students with burning eyes, nausea, and chest pain.
by Prem Thakker
January 22 2024
"University responded to reports of students being injured by a chemical attack against an on-campus rally for Gaza by chiding students for holding protests without official authorization. Meanwhile, students told The Intercept that even as the school’s public safety department has said it is investigating the incident, school administrators themselves have yet to contact the victims — some of whom have had to seek medical care for their injuries.
"During a rally on Friday, according to attendees, two individuals sprayed a hazardous chemical that released an odious smell. Dozens of students have reported an array of symptoms, such as burning eyes, nausea, headaches, abdominal and chest pain, and vomiting.
"The campus chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine publicized the incident on Saturday morning, identifying the substance as 'skunk,' a chemical weapon used by the Israel Defense Forces against Palestinians and one that U.S. #police departments have reportedly acquired in the past. SJP also alleged that the assailants have ties to the Israel Defense Forces, a claim that The Intercept could not independently confirm.
"#RashidKhalidi, a renowned #PalestinianAmerican historian who teaches at Columbia, said that university administrators should respect the student protesters’ motivations. 'For a lot of young people, this is one of the most significant events, worst #HumanitarianCrises, certainly in their lifetimes,' said Khalidi. 'And many of them have a strong sense of justice and see injustice. I think university administrators — whatever alumni and whatever donors and whatever trustees are telling them, and whatever the politicians are saying, and whatever the media bias leans towards — I think they have to respect that that’s what’s driving a lot of these students: a strong sense of injustice.'"