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Moment patriotic Rutgers students drown out Palestine protesters with powerful rendition of Star Spangled Banner and chants of 'USA!'

6 months ago 31

Rutgers University students drowned out anti-Israel protestors with the Star-Spangled Banner and chants of 'USA' amid hostile clashes on campuses across the nation. 

The New Jersey institution played host to a Gaza Encampment for four days, before a deal was reached with administrators to bring the protests to an end on Thursday.  

Footage from the encampment hours before it was shut down saw patriotic students descend on the demonstration, where Hamas-supporters showed their frustration at being counter-protested. 

As American flags and the national anthem filled the space, pro-Palestine students were heard saying the pro-America chants are 'what sore losing sounds like', hours before their encampment was halted. 

Rutgers University students drowned out anti-Israel protestors with the Star-Spangled Banner and chants of 'USA' on Thursday 

Footage from the encampment hours before it was shut down saw patriotic students descend on the demonstration, where Hamas-supporters showed their frustration at being counter-protested

The clashes at Rutgers University mirrored scenes at UNC Chapel Hill two days prior, where a group of fraternity brothers protected the American flag from being defaced by protestors. 

Their efforts led to a GoFundMe ostensibly to pay for a huge party for the fraternity, which even drew donations from outspoken billionaire Bill Ackman. 

At Rutgers, the pro-America students appeared to spend the final day of the encampment drowning out their counterparts. 

Chants of 'From the river to the sea - Palestine will be free,' were matched by 'USA, USA', with protestors then attempting to show solidarity by linking arms around the patriotic students. 

They encircled the group and were heard remarking that their efforts were 'what sore losing sounds like', while the counter-protestors seemed undeterred as they belted out the Star-Spangled Banner. 

In one set of footage from the event, a woman with a bullhorn later calls on the pro-Palestine protestors to disperse, seemingly in response to the deal being reached to end the encampment.   

'We are not protesting. We're not. We have to clean up. We have to leave,' she told the group while others packed up tents. 

According to a statement from Rutgers, the agreement to end the demonstration saw the university give protestors until 4pm on Thursday to clear the campus. 

'All students involved will leave the encampment, remove all tents and personal belongings, and clear the mall of all trash,' the statement read. 'This agreement is contingent upon no further disruptions and adherence to University policies.' 

The clashes at Rutgers University mirrored scenes at UNC Chapel Hill two days prior, where a group of fraternity brothers protected the American flag from being defaced by protestors 

Rutgers University protestors (seen on the first day of the encampment on Monday) demonstrated for four days before the encampment came to an end on Thursday 

The encampment was closed after Rutgers agreed to eight of the protestors' demands, including ending its partnership with Tel Aviv University 

As part of the agreement, Rutgers agreed to a version of eight of the protestors' ten demands. 

While it did not agree to divest entirely from firms tied to Israel, it did say it would be terminating its partnership with Tel Aviv University, a common demand among encampments across the country. 

Rutgers implied it may continue to divest from Israel-linked companies, and would be convening a meeting with its endowment board to undergo a 'review process.' 

The university also agreed to provide scholarships to at least 10 displaced Palestinian students, and create an Arab Cultural Center on its campuses. 

It agreed to continue to recognize Palestine and Gaza in its wording in communications about the Middle East crisis, and continue its relationship with Birzeit University. 

This relationship will also expand study abroad opportunities to the institution - located in the West Bank - while Rutgers will also hire a 'culturally competent' senior administrator with a specialty in Palestinian, Arab and Muslim issues. 

Rutgers agreed not to punish any students or faculty that took part in the university's protests 

Similarly, Rutgers will also explore creating its own Department of Middle East Studies, and will make sure flags representing students' nationalities are displayed around the campus. 

Although there are no reports of arrests made at Rutgers' Gaza encampment, the deal will also see the institution pledge not to punish students or faculty that participated in the protests. 

Rutgers University Chancellor Francine Conway said in a statement after the deal was reached that she was 'pleased' to see it come to a close. 

'We are pleased to report that these students have agreed to peacefully end their protest. They have committed to removing their tents and belongings, effectively clearing Voorhees Mall,' the statement read. 

'This process began before the 4 p.m. deadline and is currently underway.'  

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