– Dr Shadab Munawar Moosa, MD
Student activism has been a powerful force throughout history, challenging authority and advocating for change. However, it has often been met with official repression from those in power. On April 18 Columbia University’s Manhattan campus came alive where members of a student protest movement in support of Palestine came forward. They demanded to divest from companies that supply weapons to Israel, and encamped the area. The university called in special units to deal with student protesters. The Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg said 282 arrests had been made at the Columbia and City University of New York, or Cuny campuses.
Tensions are high after a weeks-long protest movement over the Israel-Gaza war that has put student demonstrators at odds with university leadership. We examine the role of student protests and activism for the cause of social justice.
By putting forward three pivotal moments in history – the Civil Rights Movement of 1964, the Anti-War Movement against the American War on Vietnam in 1968, and the Gaza Solidarity Encampment at Columbia University in 2024 – we can draw parallels and explore the dynamics between student activism, official repression and the movement for social justice.
The Civil Rights Movement of 1964
The Civil Rights Movement of 1950s and 1960s in the United States was a watershed moment in the fight against racial segregation and discrimination. One iconic moment, similar to the Pro-Palestine sit-ins in American universities today, was the Greensboro sit-ins in 1960, where four black college students from North Carolina A&T State University sat down at a segregated Woolworth’s lunch counter and refused to leave until they were served. Their peaceful protest inspired similar actions across the South, leading to the desegregation of many public facilities.
In 1963, the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham, Alabama, killed four young girls and injured many others. This act of terrorism targeted a hub of civil rights organization and sent shockwaves throughout the nation.
In 1964, the Civil Rights Movement in the United States was at its peak, led by figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and organizations like the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). One of the most significant events of that year was the Freedom Summer, during which hundreds of college students, both black and white, travelled to Mississippi to register African American voters.
Students, both black and white, played a crucial role in organizing protests, sit-ins, and freedom rides to challenge Jim Crow laws and demand equal rights. During the Civil Rights Movement, student activists faced violence and intimidation from law enforcement and white supremacist groups. The murder of three civil rights workers – James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner – highlighted the dangers faced by activists.
Martin Luther King Jr., a central figure in the Civil Rights Movement, condemned the violence and repression faced by activists. In his “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” he wrote: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”
The student-led sit-ins and demonstrations contributed to the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
Anti-Apartheid Movement in South Africa
The apartheid institutionalized racial segregation and oppression, with black South Africans facing discrimination in all aspects of life. Students in South Africa and around the world mobilized against apartheid, calling for international sanctions and boycotts to pressure the government to end racial injustice.
In 1976, students in Soweto protested against the government’s decision to enforce Afrikaans as the medium of instruction in black schools. The protest turned violent, and hundreds of students were killed by police brutality. The Soweto Uprising became a turning point in the anti-apartheid struggle and inspired global solidarity movements. Student activism played a significant role in isolating the apartheid regime, leading to international condemnation and economic sanctions that eventually contributed to its downfall.
Anti-War Movement against the American War on Vietnam
In the late 1960s, widespread opposition to the Vietnam War emerged, with students organizing protests demanding an end to U.S. military intervention. The anti-war movement faced harsh repression, including government surveillance and violent clashes with police.
The Kent State shootings on May 4, 1970, were a tragic turning point, as unarmed student protesters were shot by the Ohio National Guard, resulting in four deaths and nine injuries. This event sparked national outrage and fueled opposition to the war.
Kathleen Belew’s book, “Bring the War Home,” examines the rise of the far-right white supremacist movement in America, following the Vietnam War. It highlights how state violence during the war had lasting effects, leading to the growth of paramilitary groups and acts of domestic terrorism.
Encounters between state power and extremist groups, such as the Ruby Ridge standoff and the Branch Davidian siege, fueled the escalation of violence, culminating in events like the Oklahoma City bombing.
Amid pro-Palestine protests, the media and political establishment have largely ignored the virulent anti-Black racism exhibited by Zionist counter-protesters, as evidenced by reports and videos showing the use of racial slurs.
In the United States and the broader West, a cultural war fueled by both right-wing and left-wing identity politics has become a tool for manipulation by the Republican and Democratic Parties. The influence of postmodernism has prompted a reassessment of moral values, pushing Western societies towards a conservative past, evident from incidents like the Oklahoma City bombings and Capitol Hill riots.
Throughout history, student activists have bravely confronted injustice, often facing severe consequences. They have mobilized to address genocide and mass atrocities, organizing vigils, fundraisers, and educational campaigns. Following the Rwandan Genocide, student-led organizations like Students Taking Action Now: Darfur (STAND) have raised awareness and pressured governments and companies to take action, showcasing the impact of student-led initiatives.
Muslim student activism has been a potent force for revival, characterized by a deep understanding of religion and a commitment to authenticity. Emerging leaders like Malcolm X and Mohammad Ali have inspired movements for social justice. In the contemporary era, globalization and social media have amplified the voices of activists, breeding new leadership on campuses worldwide.
Despite grave injustices faced by Palestinians, the peaceful protests led by Muslim students demonstrate their resilience and confidence. These protests signify hope for the Ummah and the world, showcasing the potential for future leaders to emerge from university campuses.
