CNN host Erin Burnett spoke to pro-Palestinian student Atinthia Sivalingam about why demonstrators felt they had to “defy” the guidelines their school had set for demonstrations.
Sivalingam appeared on “Erin Burnett Outfront” on Monday and spoke about his recent arrest during a protest at Princeton University. Prior to Sivalingam’s arrest, the city of Princeton announced policies against protests, including “not occupying buildings or obstructing access,” Burton said. (Related: Chaos grows between authorities and pro-Palestinian protesters)
Barnett asked the Princeton University student why she and other protesters thought they needed to “defy” the rules “rather than protesting in a different way.”
“I think the important thing to remember in this context is that we were peacefully protesting,” Sivalingam said. “We were not harming anyone. We were pitching a tent to highlight the university’s investment in genocide. A large-scale violent operation against Gazans was taking place. Just last week, a large mass grave was discovered outside the hospital where people were being admitted.
“Al Shifa,” Barnett said.
“Outside Al Shifa, people who were hospitalized were killed and thrown into this mass grave,” Sivalingam replied. “Although we were protesting this serious violence through peaceful means, the university decided to use violence against me personally by arresting me and forcing me to remove my tent. I don’t necessarily understand the criteria.”
“So, but when they say, ‘Okay, we could have done it another way.'” Unless you’re going against the rules, do you think if you don’t do it this way no one will notice? ” Barnett pushed back.
“I don’t want to say we broke the rules,” Sivalingam said. “The day before this happened, it became clear that encampments were being held all over the country. It was important to us to show solidarity with the students at Columbia University who were being brutalized. I think so, students at the University of Texas. [at] Austin was clearly brutalized and pepper sprayed. And, yes, this is a national issue, so it’s important that our universities work together to be clear about what they’re doing. This is an all-American problem,” Sivalingam said.
Last Thursday, an estimated 100 students were arrested during a protest in the university’s McCosh courtyard. according to In the Daily Princetonian. According to the paper, Princeton Public Safety (PSAFE) began issuing warnings after students began setting up tents, which resulted in the first wave of arrests.
The day before the protests in Princeton, Vice President for Campus Life W. Rochelle Calhoun sent an email to undergraduate students in the morning, giving students a clear overview of the school’s safety measures, saying: Proven and stated.[a]Anyone who engages in camping, occupation, or other illegal acts of vandalism and who refuses to stop after being warned will be arrested and immediately removed from campus. ”
“In addition to disrupting university operations, some types of protests (such as occupying buildings or blocking access, setting up outdoor encampments, or sleeping in outdoor spaces on campus) can be dangerous for both stakeholders and bystanders. “It’s inherently dangerous and increases the potential for escalation and conflict.” said. “They are also inconsistent with the University’s mission and legal obligation to provide a safe environment for all students and employees.”
