Fresno State protest on Gaza was a model for the nation: peaceful, focused, deliberate | Opinion

Since the mass arrests of protesting students at Columbia University, protests by pro-Palestine students have erupted at many universities and are spreading across the United States and abroad.

Many of these protests have included violence, vandalism, and intimidation. The presence and interference by outsiders have caused further chaos and led to a deteriorating situation.

If not handled or managed by careful thought, insight and compassionate listening, matters could get out of hand and become much like another anti-Vietnam war movement.

In the U.S. alone there have already been well over 2,000 protesters arrested; about 80 universities have seen protests, rallies and encampments on their campuses, and the number is growing.

Whereas right to peaceful protest and assembly along with freedom of speech is a rich tradition in this country and is a hallmark of a democratic society and culture, there is no place for the expression of violent dissent and disorder. This is the danger when protests are led by inexperienced, untrained and undisciplined people.

Opinion

One could learn much from the methods and techniques used by Mahatma Gandhi, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Cesar E. Chavez and Dolores Huerta, who were effective in organizing successful nonviolent protests, boycotts, marches and demonstrations. They are role models whether you are a student, teacher, university administrator or union organizer.

Pro-Palestine students have a legitimate cause to advocate in view of the suffering, pain and near famine conditions experienced by the people in Gaza. The students have the rights to express their views peacefully on a university campus. There should be no intimidation, harassment or discrimination.

It is encouraging to know that a vast majority of these protests on university campuses have been peaceful and nonviolent. One such peaceful and nonviolent protest took place on Wednesday, May 1 at Fresno State. There was no violence, no harassment, no intimidation, no antisemitism and no hate speech. All this without the presence of campus or city police nor any armed guards.

University authorities were civil and respectful of students and their rights. Even University President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval came to greet and say hello to the students who welcomed him to the sit-in they organized.

What a contrast to the violence and chaos that occurred at UCLA, USC and some other universities on East Coast. Both the students and university officials deserve commendation for creating an ambiance of mutual respect and trust. My understanding is that pre-protest negotiations (five meeting sessions) between the student leaders and administrators paved the way for this kind of a peaceful protest on the campus.

I have seen Vietnam-era and Gulf War protests on the campus, and I can say that this latest one was the most peaceful and nonviolent demonstration on our campus. I want to offer high-fives to the students and university leadership for such a commendable and courageous act.

Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor is professor emeritus of social work education and peace studies at California State University, Fresno.