New Haven, Connecticut April 25, 2025
The ongoing protests at Yale University have reached a boiling point as students demand the institution divest from military weapons manufacturers, particularly those supplying arms to Israel. The protests, which began last week, have drawn significant attention as student organizers rally for change, challenging the universitys investment policies and its stance on human rights issues.
The latest wave of protests, which took place outside the Schwarzman Center on Beinecke Plaza, saw over 400 participants including undergraduates, graduate students, and some members of the local community. Many protesters, led by the student coalition Sumud, are calling for Yale to cut ties with companies involved in the production of arms used in global conflicts, particularly in the Middle East. This is part of a broader campaign urging universities to hold ethical investment standards, with students emphasizing the need for transparency in where university endowment funds are invested.
The protests reached a dramatic climax on Monday, April 22, when Yale police arrested 47 student protesters for trespassing after they refused to vacate the plaza. Demonstrators had set up an encampment in tents, creating a makeshift campus in the shadow of the universitys administration buildings. This move was part of a direct action campaign designed to pressure the administration into taking concrete steps towards divestment.
According to several participants, including Noor Kareem, a sophomore from Michigan, the arrests were abrupt and harsh. We were all crying. I was asleep, and we were woken up by shouts that police were here, Kareem recounted, explaining that the group had been peacefully gathered, singing and chanting. Other protesters echoed these sentiments, decrying the police tactics as unnecessarily aggressive.
The universitys administration responded by defending its actions, stating that it had issued multiple warnings to the protesters before resorting to police intervention. Yale officials pointed to university policies regarding the use of outdoor spaces and argued that the students had been given ample time to leave before facing legal consequences. In a statement, a Yale spokesperson emphasized that students had been offered several opportunities to meet with the Board of Trustees to discuss their concerns, but negotiations had broken down.
New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker also weighed in, expressing support for students right to protest but urging them to respect the citys public spaces, especially busy intersections. The protesters blocked two major streets, and while we respect their right to express their views, we need to ensure that the area remains accessible for residents and emergency responders, he said.
Despite the arrests, the protesters have remained steadfast in their resolve. The Sumud Coalition, a prominent organizing body behind the protests, continues to call for more direct negotiations with Yales trustees. We have exhausted all other channels, said Lakxshanna Raveendran, a member of the group. Now, we demand real dialogue with the university leadership, not just more bureaucratic responses.
This ongoing protest is part of a wider movement among universities across the United States, where student groups are increasingly holding their institutions accountable for investments in industries they see as contributing to global violence. Yales involvement in such investments has been a point of contention for years, with some activists drawing parallels between the current protests and past divestment campaigns, such as those aimed at ending apartheid in South Africa.
The issue has also ignited a broader conversation about the role of private institutions in global conflicts. While many students argue that divestment is a moral imperative, others counter that such actions could have unintended economic and political consequences. Some faculty members have also voiced concerns, suggesting that the universitys policy on divestment may not be as transparent as it should be.
In the wake of the arrests, students have organized numerous solidarity actions, including sitins, rallies, and the publication of open letters calling for divestment. Yale College Council leaders have also voiced their support for the protesters, with Vice President Maya Fonkeu and President Julian SuhToma issuing an oped demanding that the administration engage more substantively with student concerns.
The protests are unlikely to subside soon. Over the weekend, hundreds of students gathered again on Beinecke Plaza, holding signs and chanting slogans such as, Hey, hey, ho, ho, theres blood on your portfolio, a direct critique of the universitys financial backing of arms manufacturers. In addition, counterprotests have also emerged, with a small group of Yale alumni and community members supporting the universitys position, arguing that Yales investments are consistent with its longterm financial strategy and that it should not be swayed by shortterm political pressures.
As the protests continue, Yale faces mounting pressure to address the ethical concerns raised by its students. The situation highlights the growing divide between student activism and institutional priorities, with both sides claiming to be upholding values that are crucial to the universitys mission. Whether Yale will eventually heed the calls for divestment or continue its stance remains to be seen, but the outcome of this confrontation could shape the future of student activism and institutional governance at the university for years to come.
For now, Yales campus is divided, with students, faculty, and administration each positioning themselves in a battle that has profound implications not just for the university, but for how American institutions engage with global issues. As the protest movement grows, its clear that the conversation surrounding divestment, transparency, and ethical responsibility is far from over.