Federal officials, along with groups representing both Jewish and Muslim students, are on heightened alert for discrimination and threats one year after the Hamas attack on Israel and the resulting war in the region.
The FBI released a statement Wednesday saying it is “fully engaged to detect and stop any potential threats.”
“It is essential to be watchful for threats against Jewish, Muslim and Arab communities and institutions and to immediately contact law enforcement to report any suspicious activity,” the agency said. “We continue to share intelligence with our law enforcement partners here and overseas and continue discussions with faith-based organizations, the private sector and others about their concerns.”
Credit: Olivia Bowdoin
Credit: Olivia Bowdoin
Israel invaded Gaza after Hamas attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7. Hamas militants killed about 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and took roughly 250 hostages. More than 40,000 people have been killed in Gaza in the war.
Several groups in metro Atlanta are planning protests and other events to commemorate the anniversary.
The Party for Socialism & Liberation has scheduled a rally at 2 p.m. Saturday at Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta.
On Monday, Emory Hillel will have a daylong exhibit on the campus quad and a 5:15 p.m. community vigil to remember those who’ve died and hostages who are still being held.
Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com
Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com
On Tuesday, Emory Students for Justice in Palestine is inviting all members of the campus community to a memorial on the quad. The event is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. Attendees are asked to wear mourning attire, black or kaffiyehs.
Dozens of demonstrations, rallies and vigils have been held, particularly on college campuses, since the attack.
Hillel International, a leading support group for Jewish students, said antisemitic incidents on North American campuses increased from 290 during the 2022-23 school year to 1,854 during the 2023-24 school year. The uptick has continued in recent months, according to its research. The Anti-Defamation League, which recorded more than 1,400 antisemitic incidents on U.S. campuses last school year, is asking college administrators to enforce rules governing campus activities, ensure there’s ample security and prevent altercations between parties during competing events.
Meanwhile, the Council on American-Islamic Relations has said there’s been an increase in discrimination particularly against Muslim and other students advocating for Palestinians. The organization has asked colleges and universities to be aware of federal laws prohibiting discrimination as the anniversary approaches.
College administrators during the spring cracked down on some protests, including some in Georgia, that sparked national debate and upended graduation ceremonies.
Credit: Miguel Martinez
Credit: Miguel Martinez
Emory, the state’s largest private university, for example, moved its May 13 commencement ceremony to Gas South Arena in Gwinnett County in part to provide better security and stop protests. On April 25, police made several arrests and used chemical irritants to disperse a crowd after an encampment was set up on campus to call for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war and to oppose plans to build an Atlanta public safety training center. Some faculty and student groups took no-confidence votes against Emory President Gregory Fenves in response to how the university handled the demonstration.
A few days later, University of Georgia police arrested 16 pro-Palestinian protesters, including seven people who weren’t students. It said demonstrators created an encampment and failed to disperse, violating campus policies.
Credit: TNS
Credit: TNS
Critics, though, say the university’s actions were an overreaction and violated its own policies concerning campus speech. On Sept. 23, the Georgia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations held a news conference at the state Capitol asking UGA to drop disciplinary charges against the students who were arrested.
Staff writer Taylor Croft contributed to this report.
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