As AFN recently reported, administrators on many college campuses are on alert for the return of anti-Israel activism that brought them unwanted attention in the spring following the Hamas terror attacks of October 7, 2023.
The protests included numerous tent encampments on college and university campuses and violence from students wearing masks or other face coverings, but they practically paused during the summer months while classes were out.
Now, just in time for the new academic year, California public universities have banned encampments, masks, overnight protests, and "unauthorized barricades," which means students are not allowed to rebuild tent communities or wear masks to hide their faces at school.
Brad Dacus, president of the Pacific Justice Institute, says it is about time.
"Finally, the university system is doing the right thing," he responds. "This is a little late, but we have to salute them for finally stepping in and doing this."
Still, he questions the motivation behind it.
"Why did it take so long? Why did we have to have so much of a disruption in our educational system?" he poses. "Why did we have to have so many Jewish students harassed and harmed by those who refused to allow their identity to be made known?"
His suspicion is a combination of politics and public viewpoint.
"I can't help but believe that the upcoming election in November had to be a motivational factor to get them to crack down on more massive chaos, which only steers more people to vote for the conservative Republican candidates who are not willing to put up with this kind of outrageous violation of the law," Dacus submits.
The University of California reportedly spent $29 million in the spring semester on cleanup and extra security.
