1968 and 2024: Columbia University Protests Then and Now
Similarities and Differences
In April 1968, students at Columbia University took over several campus buildings to protest the university's involvement in the Vietnam War and its plans to build a gymnasium in Harlem. The protests lasted for several days and ended with the university administration agreeing to some of the students' demands.
In 2024, students at Columbia University are planning a similar protest to demand that the university divest from fossil fuels. The students are also planning to occupy several campus buildings.
There are some similarities between the protests of 1968 and 2024. In both cases, the students are protesting against the university's policies. In both cases, the students are using civil disobedience to make their voices heard.
However, there are also some differences between the protests of 1968 and 2024. The students in 1968 were protesting against the Vietnam War, while the students in 2024 are protesting against climate change. The students in 1968 were supported by many people in the community, while the students in 2024 are facing more opposition.
The Legacy of the 1968 Protests
The 1968 protests at Columbia University were a watershed moment in the history of the university. The protests led to the university's administration agreeing to some of the students' demands, including the creation of a new department of African American studies. The protests also helped to raise awareness of the importance of student activism.
The legacy of the 1968 protests is still felt today. The university's department of African American studies is one of the most respected in the country. The protests also helped to inspire student activism around the world.
The Future of Student Activism
The students who are planning the 2024 protests at Columbia University are part of a new generation of activists. These students are facing a different set of challenges than the students who protested in 1968. However, they are just as determined to make their voices heard.
The future of student activism is uncertain. However, the students who are planning the 2024 protests at Columbia University are proof that student activism is still alive and well.
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