Two members of the socialist “Squad” caucus in the House of Representatives declared that the clearing of the occupation of an academic building on Columbia University’s campus was similar to the Kent State massacre. The statement came as one of the Squad member’s daughters was arrested for aiding a similar occupation.
Reps. Cori Bush (D-MO) and Ilhan Omar (D-MN) each compared the current situation on campuses to the 1970 incident at Kent State. Soldiers of the National Guard opened fire on student protesters, killing four and wounding nine.
“54 years ago, the Ohio National Guard opened fire on unarmed students at Kent State. Students have a right to speak out, organize and protest systemic wrongs,” wrote Omar. “We can’t silence those expressing dissent, no matter how uncomfortable their protests may be to those in power.”
54 years ago, the Ohio National Guard opened fire on unarmed students at Kent State.
Students have a right to speak out, organize, and protest systemic wrongs.
We can’t silence those expressing dissent, no matter how uncomfortable their protests may be to those in power.
— Rep. Ilhan Omar (@Ilhan) May 4, 2024
“On the 54th anniversary of the Kent State Massacre, students across our country are being brutalized for standing up to endless war,” wrote Bush. “Our country must learn to actually uphold the rights of free speech & assembly upon which it was founded. Solidarity with our students.”
Despite the statement, there have been no deaths or significant injuries reported among the protesters.
Dramatic footage from the clearing out of a building occupied by students made the rounds on social media and on the news.
In a previous occupation of an academic building on campus, police cleared out dozens of students. The effort resulted in more than 100 arrests, including that of Omar’s daughter.
Both Omar and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez came to Columbia to speak as the protests continued.
Following the initial clearing, students set up a tent city on campus. The move was copied by a number of other colleges, resulting in further disruptions, including one day when classes at Columbia were held only online.
The latest occupation included breaking windows and barricading doors prior to the NYPD’s intervention.
Following the raid, the police department announced that it found propaganda against both Israel and the United States. Some of the fliers called for ‘Death to America’ and to smash capitalism.
