Staff Reports
In a perplexing yet unsurprising twist, a pro-Hamas group is rallying support for eight City College of New York (CUNY) students facing jail time. These students aren’t in trouble for handing out flyers or organizing bake sales, but rather for their involvement in an anti-Israel protest that spiraled into chaos in 2024. The group seems to celebrate New York City D.A. Alvin Bragg’s decision to dismiss charges against most of the students involved in what seems to be a minor hurricane of havoc. It’s bewildering to think that CUNY students, the future leaders of America, are given such leeway in the judicial system.
During the protest, the students did more than just voice their opinions about international politics. They managed to transform campus safety officers into emergency room regulars. We’re talking about throwing objects and inflicting injuries—serious ones. One officer is reportedly still on leave, healing from an encounter that left him battered, all in the name of “peaceful protest.” Now, they’re wanting their day in court, assuming, perhaps, that throwing keyboards and defiling property falls under some innovative interpretation of free speech.
If you’re scratching your head, you’re not alone. New York City Mayor Eric Adams has soothed the public with comforting words, stating that violence will not be tolerated. But much like a sweater that unravels with just one tug, the action—or lack thereof—leaves one questioning just how seriously these platitudes are taken within city limits. The truth is that while the mayor’s words sound grand, they feel more like a Band-Aid on a bullet wound. It’s hard to reconcile tough rhetoric with the soft actions—or inactions of public officials.
The students represent something broader, an unsettling trend that pits them against the very fabric of Western culture. This isn’t just about waving Palestinian flags; it’s a manifesto against the Western system of law, order, and capitalism. It’s a call to abolish not just the police but seemingly everything that holds this society together. For those keeping score, this isn’t just anti-Israel; it’s anti-American. Protests are fine—who doesn’t love a good chant with rhythm? But when it turns into assault and chaos, the line must be drawn somewhere.
Public figures like Chuck Schumer, who have lines of text dedicated to fighting anti-Semitism, are notably silent. One would think such vocal advocacy for justice would spur at least a finger-wagging remark. True, expecting action in Gotham is like searching for a unicorn in Central Park, but one can hope. Sadly, the absence of backbone in leadership serves only to embolden those who would see Western society crumble. So we’re left with a Brooklynese urging: “Measure your words, Mayor Adams, because the safety officer nursing his wounds deserves more than just comforting sentiments.”
