Amid the cacophony of chants and the clamor for change, university campuses like Columbia University and George Washington University have become the epicenter of student activism over the Israel-Hamas conflict. At Columbia, protests raged intensely enough to keep Jewish student Dahlia Soussan up through the night, as reported by The Washington Post. Soussan, who supports Israel's statehood, was troubled by the intersection of her values and the current geopolitical strife, stating, "Every value that I hold in my heart is in tension with another principle I hold deeply right now."

While Soussan is wrestling with her beliefs, over at George Washington University, protestors are not just vocal but physically present, having set up an encampment in University Yard. On Sunday, the situation escalated when hundreds smashed through barricades, sparking the university to respond with concerns for campus safety and the need to uphold an academic environment free from "hateful language," according to a statement quoted by FOX 5 DC. The university stressed that, while they support free expression, it has limits, especially when campus order and security are threatened.

The spark that ignited the series of protests was initially set ablaze after over 100 demonstrators were arrested at Columbia University. This number included students who objected to Israel's military actions in Gaza. The recent protests at George Washington University are also aimed at pressing the institution to divest from Israel, besides lifting a suspension on a pro-Palestinian student group.

As universities grapple with balancing maintaining a safe campus environment and allowing for student activism, George Washington University announced the relocation of law school finals, originally scheduled near the protest site.