What are students protesting? Groups hold demonstrations on U.S. campuses. Here's why

Students are holding demonstrations and protests on college and university campuses across the country, even here in Tennessee. What exactly are they protesting?

In short, the Israeli-Hamas war that has been ongoing and led to the deaths of thousands in Palestinians and Israelis since the beginning of October 2023. The tactics used by the Israeli army during this war has drawn scrutiny in the U.S. from nation's leaders to the next generation of Americans sitting in classrooms.

Over the last month, protesters have held demonstrations on campuses in the U.S., but this week police became involved in many of them, including at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville Thursday, which led to nine people being arrested.

Here's a look at what has spurred demonstrations at Vanderbilt and University of Tennessee and what has happened on campuses, along with what is happening in Gaza.

What has lead to students protesting?

On Oct. 7, 2023, around 1,200 people in southern Israel were killed and more than 200 taken hostage in the Hamas-led attack on the country. Israeli forces came back with a retaliatory assault has killed nearly 35,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, and obliterated much of the enclave's infrastructure.

The humanitarian crisis stemming from the Gaza conflict and the reports of bombings of hospitals and a critical need for food and other supplies for Palestinians has fueled outrage on some U.S. campuses and spurred demands for an end to investment in Israeli companies and amnesty for student protesters.

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Protest at Vanderbilt hit the one month mark

On March 26, students began demonstrations on Vanderbilt University’s campus to demand the restoration of a blocked student vote that would have prevented student government funds from going to certain businesses that support Israel.

The first day came with a sit-in of Chancellor Daniel Diermeier’s office, which led to four students being arrested, the expelling of three and the disciplinary action of many more.

These demonstrations and protest against the blocking of the vote hit the one month mark on April 26 and they don't seem to be stopping anytime soon.

University of Tennessee students protest

University of Tennessee students in Knoxville are on their third day of demonstrations after nine people, seven students and two community members, were arrested on Thursday, May 2.

The protestors are advocating for the university to divest from its assets tied to Israel amid its ongoing war with Hamas. The pro-Palestine groups continue demonstrations on campus heading into the weekend.

USA TODAY contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Why are students protesting? TN, US campuses see pro-Palestine sit ins