Stephen Kapos, an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor, has offered his support to American university protestors, commending their bravery and commitment to justice.

Kapos, who endured the horrors of genocide, believes in the importance of standing against injustice and fascism.  

“We is a historic responsibility towards injustice, genocide and fascism,” he said in a message on X. “Thank you for being brave and on the right side of history.”

Police Crackdown on Pro-Palestinian Demonstrations

In response to pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Universities across America, police have arrested over 100 individuals, predominantly college students, at Emerson College in Boston.

The crackdown comes after university officials ordered the dismantling of a protest encampment in the city’s Boylston Place Alley, sparking allegations of excessive force and safety concerns among students.

Despite claims of peaceful protest, mass arrests occurred at various university campuses. 

At the University of Texas in Austin, and the University of Southern California (USC), dozens of protestors were detained, with footage showing confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement.

Holocaust Survivor’s Message of Support

In solidarity with the protestors, Stephen Kapos has emphasized the importance of persistence and courage.

Kapos has encouraged the protestors to continue with their efforts, highlighting the historical responsibility to oppose injustice.

“As a Holocaust survivor, my message to the brave student protesters in America is just keep doing it, don't give up.”

“We are doing exactly the same and in the long term we are going to prevail. I'm out from the beginning at every march. What's happening on America's college campuses is horrific.”

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Political Responses to Demonstrations

Political figures, including US House Speaker Mike Johnson, have weighed in on the protests, condemning what they perceive as antisemitism and advocating for university administrations to take stronger measures.

However, such statements have faced criticism, with some accusing them of exacerbating tensions and politicizing the issue.

Growing Movement for Change

The protests have sparked a growing movement demanding universities sever financial ties with entities associated with Israel and divest from companies implicated in the conflict.

From California to Massachusetts, students have organized marches, set up encampments, and called for academic boycotts in support of Palestine.

Challenges Faced by Protestors

Protestors have encountered various challenges, including clashes with law enforcement and university administrations. 

At UC Berkeley, USC, and Cal Poly Humboldt, demonstrators faced arrests and campus closures as they pushed for their demands.

Kappos says that “this is reminiscent of what happened in German universities in the 1930s.” The holocaust survivor believes that “the way that the Israeli government is using the memory of the Holocaust in order to justify what they are doing to the Gazans is a complete insult to the memory of the Holocaust.”

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Calls for Dialogue and Understanding

Amidst escalating tensions, calls for dialogue and understanding have emerged. Some faculty members have expressed solidarity with the protestors and criticized the militarized response to peaceful demonstrations.

Efforts to foster open dialogue and ensure the safety of all students remain paramount in addressing the ongoing crisis.

Reflecting on the protests and their implications, Stephen Kapos has emphasized the need for empathy, education, and collective action to prevent atrocities and uphold human rights in the face of adversity.