Nearly seven months after the Israel-Hamas war began, the demonstrations convulsing college campuses nationwide are exposing fresh tensions within the Democratic Party over how to balance free speech protections and support for Gazans with concerns that some Jewish Americans are raising about antisemitism.
From New York and Los Angeles to Atlanta and Austin, a surge in student activism has manifested in protest encampments and other demonstrations, drawing significant police crackdowns and sometimes appearing to attract outside agitators.
The protests also have emerged as the latest flashpoint in the internal Democratic debate over the war.
“The real question is, can the Democrats again portray themselves as the steady hand at the helm?” said Dan Sena, a veteran Democratic strategist.
“Things that create national chaos like this make that harder to do.”
Persons:
”, Dan Sena
Organizations:
Hamas, Democratic Party, Democratic
Locations:
Israel, New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Austin