Dozens of Brandeis University students staged a walkout on Monday in response to the arrests of seven individuals during a pro-Palestinian protest on campus last week. The seven individuals, three of whom are Brandeis students, pleaded not guilty to charges including disorderly conduct, unlawful assembly, and assault and battery on a police officer. The arrests came after the demonstration turned unruly and participants allegedly ignored orders to disperse.

The gathering on Friday drew around 100 people, who were protesting the university's decision to disband the "Students for Justice in Palestine" group and advocating for the "liberation" of the Palestinian people. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip has fueled tensions on college campuses throughout Massachusetts and across the nation since Hamas militants launched a terror attack on October 7.

According to Waltham police, Friday's protest became increasingly contentious, prompting intervention from law enforcement after the demonstrators failed to comply with multiple requests to disperse. However, some of those arrested are asserting that the police used excessive force during the incident.

Brandeis student John Napoleone, who was among those arrested, claimed that the police were aggressive and physically harmed him. He said, "The police were incredibly violent on Friday. They dislocated my knee-cap. They put their hands down my pants." Another student, Farah Mahmoud, witnessed what she describes as police brutality, stating, "I saw police choking out the students, like hands on the front of their necks choking them. It was really very horrific."

Brandeis University maintains that the students were engaging in speech that it deems hateful, particularly reciting chants such as "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free." Meshulam Ungar, a Brandeis senior supporting the university's decision to disband the Students for Justice in Palestine group, expressed concern over the chant's connotation, saying, "There should be no Jewish state between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea." This sentiment has left some Jewish students feeling scared and threatened.

As a private, liberal arts university founded by the Jewish community, Brandeis finds itself navigating a complex situation as tensions rise and differing viewpoints clash. The walkout by students demonstrates the divisions that exist on campus regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and highlights the need for constructive dialogue and understanding among members of the community.

The university administration has yet to comment on the walkout, but it remains to be seen how they will address the concerns and grievances raised by the protesting students. As the situation unfolds, Brandeis University is faced with the challenge of balancing free speech rights, maintaining a peaceful campus environment, and ensuring the safety and well-being of its students.

In the midst of these contentious times, it is crucial that institutions like Brandeis University facilitate open discussions and promote understanding among their diverse student body, fostering an environment that embraces differing perspectives while cultivating mutual respect.