Harris visit ignites protests, reveals campus political divides

By Holly Wang

Students protested the United States’ military support for Israel outside of Harris’ speech in Purnell. One sign read “Kamala the war criminal.” Katherine Casarrubias Gallardo/ Junior Staffwriter

On Wednesday, Sept. 25, Vice President Kamala Harris’ visit to Carnegie Mellon sparked two distinct protests on campus. Though small in scale, the demonstrations reflected political divisions among the university body and a broader national discourse that has intensified in the lead-up to the 2024 election.

The first protest, attended by around 15 students and local community members, focused on U.S. support for Israel in the ongoing Gaza conflict. Protesters gathered near Warner Hall holding signs with messages such as “Stop Arming Genocide” and “Kamala the War Criminal,” calling for immediate changes to U.S. foreign policy in the region.

The demonstration, organized primarily through word-of-mouth, brought together students from various backgrounds who were united in their opposition to what they view as American complicity in the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The protesters’ message was met with intervention by university administrators, who informed the group that the orders were relayed from the Secret Service. The administrators explained that the protesters could continue if they refrained from chanting or if they would relocate to the public intersection of Forbes and Morewood Avenue, off campus property. While the protesters complied, the restrictions drew criticism from students who felt their right to free speech was being curtailed.

Next to the Gaza protest, a smaller protest fluctuating between one to three participants voiced opposition to Harris’ visit, with broader support for the Republican Party. Anthony Cacciato, president of the CMU Republican Club, organized the gathering in response to what he saw as Harris’ unwillingness to engage with perspectives beyond her political base.

“It sends a bad message for Harris to only engage with supporters. It shows no willingness to interact with the other side,” Cacciato remarked. He also took issue with the private nature of Harris’ event, noting that while security concerns are understandable, it still “creates an unwelcoming environment for those with differing political views.”

One of the participants, first-year business major Carter Sheets, said he happened upon the gathering after noticing a small group forming.

“I was wearing a Trump 2024 t-shirt, and I saw Anthony [Cacciato], who complimented my shirt. I ended up staying to talk about our shared views,” Sheets said. “It was great to meet others who supported Trump and to feel like we had a space to express that support.”

Both the Gaza protesters and the Republican demonstrators criticized the invite-only nature of the event, despite representing opposing political views. Both groups expressed frustration over being excluded from a public discourse with such a high-profile political figure. This shared criticism highlighted the broader concerns surrounding transparency and inclusivity in the political process.

Despite their differing messages, both protests remained peaceful, with campus security and Secret Service agents ensuring safety. The protests, while modest, sparked conversations across the university. Some students commented on the symbolic importance of the protests in highlighting the diverse political climate on campus.

The university has not yet issued a formal statement regarding the protests. However, the events on campus highlight growing political engagement at Carnegie Mellon and the broader national conversations around free speech, foreign policy, and economic recovery.

With the 2024 election approaching, these protests reflect the increasing political polarization seen across the country, with small gatherings on college campuses acting as a microcosm of larger national debates. Whether focused on international conflicts or domestic economic policies, the student body at Carnegie Mellon is proving that political engagement remains a crucial aspect of university life.

Source

Yorum yapın