AOC praises 'peaceful' protests at Columbia, Yale: 'Young people shaping this country'

TRIANGLE, Va. (TND) — Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., recognized what she called "peaceful" protests at major American universities, including Columbia University and Yale University, during an Earth Day event in Virginia Monday afternoon.

The congresswoman's remarks come as both Columbia and Yale are reeling from days of major anti-Israel protests that have led to arrests and at least one injury that led to hospitalization.

"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 and many others," Rep. Ocasio-Cortez said.

READ MORE | Students arrested at Yale after raucous anti-Israel protests rattle Ivy League schools

In contrast to Rep. Ocasio-Cortez's praise for certain demonstrators, Columbia University President Minouche Shafik shifted the university to virtual learning Monday in an effort to "deescalate" the situation.

"Over the past days, there have been too many examples of intimidating and harassing behavior on our campus," Shafik wrote. "Antisemitic language, like any other language that is used to hurt and frighten people, is unacceptable and appropriate action will be taken."

Images of anti-Israel protests have been appearing on social media throughout the day on Monday, which happens to be the start of the Jewish holiday Passover. A banner seen at the University of Michigan posted by StopAntisemitism Monday reads "long live the intifada."

Intifada means "an armed uprising of Palestinians against Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip," according to Merriam-Webster.

Republican lawmakers have called for immediate action to disrupt the demonstrations on college campuses, with Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., insisting President Biden needs to take action to end the "nascent pogroms" at Columbia.

"If Eric Adams won’t send the NYPD and Kathy Hochul won’t send the National Guard, Joe Biden has a duty to take charge and break up these mobs," Sen. Cotton wrote.

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