As student-led protests calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and divestment from Israel's occupation of Palestinian land gain momentum across US universities, faculty members have been increasingly joining their students in speaking up and even taking part in demonstrations. The recent arrests of faculty members at Emory University in Georgia have caught widespread attention, shedding light on the growing support for the pro-Palestine movement among academic staff.

Emil' Keme, a professor of English and Indigenous studies, and Noelle McAfee, the philosophy department chair at Emory University, were among those arrested at pro-Palestine demonstrations. A video circulating on social media showed McAfee being roughly pinned down and escorted away by Atlanta police, as she requested someone to inform the philosophy department of her arrest.

The protests have had an impact on graduation ceremonies as well. The University of Southern California (USC) has canceled formal graduation ceremonies due to the ongoing protests. This decision has drawn criticism from both faculty and students. USC assistant sociology professor Brittany Friedman expressed disappointment in the university's authoritarian approach, stating that it disregarded what USC claimed to stand for.

Columbia University, another institution witnessing significant protests, saw faculty and staff members rally in support of students who were arrested, suspended, and even evicted from their dorm rooms. These educators demanded immediate apologies, amnesty for the students, and the clearing of their disciplinary records. As tensions on campus persist, Columbia University has shifted to remote learning for the remainder of the semester.

Faculty members at Princeton University are also actively supporting the pro-Palestine movement. Max Weiss, who teaches a course on the history of Palestine and Israel, has been holding classes at protests. Dozens of faculty members from Princeton signed an open letter published in the school's newspaper, the Princetonian, expressing solidarity with Columbia faculty and students involved in the protests.

Protests have not been limited to Emory and Columbia. Faculty and students at universities in New York, including New York University and the City University of New York, have faced arrests and showed solidarity with their peers. At NYU, some educators were arrested for shielding Muslim students during prayer, while CUNY professors formed a protective barricade between their students and the police, chanting, "To get to our students, you have to get through us."

The ongoing violence in Palestine has sparked nationwide campus protests. Over 30 universities, including Yale, Brown, and the University of Texas, have established their own encampments in support of Palestine, following the example set by Columbia University. However, many university administrations have been actively trying to shut down these demonstrations, drawing backlash from professors.

The recent events at Columbia University have even attracted attention from far-right Republicans. Columbia's president, Nemat "Minouche" Shafik, testified before the Republican-led House regarding allegations of failing to prevent instances of antisemitism on campus. Some Columbia faculty members criticized Shafik for not adequately defending academic freedom in her testimony.

Faculty members and students who support the movements for Palestinian rights have faced allegations and unfair labels. Bassam Khawaja, a lecturer at Columbia Law School, expressed outrage at how individuals speaking out for Palestinian rights are often unjustly portrayed. He emphasized the importance of allowing students to express solidarity without being falsely labeled.

University administrations' approaches to the protests have received criticism as well. The president of the University of Texas at Austin, Jay Hartzell, faced condemnation from faculty for inviting police to campus to handle a planned peaceful protest. Similar sentiments were expressed by Princeton professor Max Weiss, who called the deployment of police at Columbia University an unjust and unjustified action.

The protests occurring on university campuses have become a battleground for debates on various social issues. Zia Mian, a faculty member at Princeton, highlighted how universities historically serve as focal points for movements seeking change in society. As young people confront the realities of the world, university settings often become platforms for pushing for equality, justice, and social progress.

The pro-Palestine protests on US campuses continue to inspire faculty, staff, and students alike to actively engage in support of the cause. These demonstrations reflect the growing concern and solidarity with Palestinians as calls for a ceasefire and divestment from Israel's occupation amplify across the nation.