WASHINGTON (TND) — Columbia University and Barnard College have transitioned to online classes this week, citing safety concerns amidst escalating pro-Palestinian protests on campus.

Support from Progressive Lawmakers

The decision to move classes online comes amidst vocal support for the student demonstrators from progressive lawmakers, including Ilhan Omar and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Ocasio-Cortez emphasized the significance of student-led protests, stating, “It is especially important that we remember the power of young people shaping this country today, of all days, as we once again witness the leadership of those peaceful, student-led protests on campuses like Columbia, Yale, Berkeley.”

Crackdown on Chaos

University leadership is attempting to address the situation by cracking down on the chaos, including calling in law enforcement. Last week, over 100 Columbia and Barnard students were arrested, including the daughter of Ilhan Omar. Omar expressed her pride in her daughter’s activism, stating via Twitter that she is “enormously proud” of her.

Support from U.S.-Designated Groups

Support for the demonstrations is not limited to domestic entities. U.S.-designated terror groups, such as Hezbollah, have also voiced support. Hezbollah’s secretary general highlighted the importance of protests in Washington and New York, stating they apply pressure to Western governments.

Speaker Invitation Controversy

In March, Columbia students invited Khaled Barakat, a leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), another U.S.-designated terror organization, to speak at a virtual event. Barakat emphasized the significance of international support for Palestinian resistance movements. Additionally, a student involved in organizing the event defended the participation of Hamas members, stating, “There is nothing wrong with being a member of Hamas, with being a leader of Hamas, being a fighter in Hamas.”

Questions on Funding and Support

Critics have raised concerns about the funding sources behind the protests on American college campuses. Senator Tom Cotton and other GOP Senators have called on the Department of Justice to investigate, questioning whether left-wing activist groups or foreign governments are involved. Some of the students involved in recent protests have ties to organizations like Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace, both of which have received funding from progressive organizations. Both organizations have been suspended from Columbia University’s campus. Notably, Jewish Voice for Peace has received financial backing from George Soros’s Open Society Foundation.

Calls for Investigation

As the situation continues to unfold, there are growing calls for a thorough investigation into the funding sources behind the pro-Palestinian protests on American college campuses. With concerns about potential ties to designated terror organizations and foreign entities, lawmakers and university

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