Since the start of the war in Gaza on October 7, U.S. colleges have heightened security and implemented protest restrictions in response to pro-Palestinian demonstrations. While these measures are aimed at preventing disruptions and addressing hate speech, they have increased the risks for student activists, who now face potential threats to their academic and professional futures.

On many campuses, tent encampments—previously a hallmark of such protests—have been banned, and several students involved in last spring’s protests continue to face disciplinary measures. However, with rising casualties in Gaza, activists are finding new ways to mobilize, including through online platforms and strategic community outreach.

Elizabeth Howell-Egan, a law student at the University of Southern California (USC), remains active in anti-war protests despite being banned from campus for her involvement in last spring’s demonstrations. Howell-Egan, alongside other students, continues to protest by holding online sessions on Israel’s War on Gaza and distributing flyers outside USC’s fortified campus, where increased security includes checkpoints and ID scanning. Howell-Egan is a member of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), a group pushing USC to divest from companies profiting from the ongoing war.

Tensions over Israel’s War on Gaza have been palpable on U.S. campuses. Jewish students have reported incidents of antisemitism during these demonstrations, leading to federal civil rights investigations and lawsuits against some universities.

At Temple University, senior Alia Amanpour Trapp, who has been arrested multiple times for her activism, continues her involvement with Students for Justice in Palestine despite being placed on probation. Trapp draws inspiration from her family history of political resistance and feels compelled to stand up for what she believes in, despite facing potential disciplinary consequences.

At Brown University, students arrested during protests last spring are continuing their push for the university to divest from companies linked to Israel. This campaign has sparked national attention, with Republican state attorneys general criticizing the university’s decision to consider a divestment vote. Some students, such as Rafi Ash from the Brown Divest Coalition, argue that their activism aligns with their Jewish values of peace and justice.

For Howell-Egan, the crackdown at USC has only strengthened her resolve to continue speaking out, even though she remains barred from campus. She views the university’s disciplinary actions as part of a broader attempt to suppress free speech and prevent activism. Nevertheless, Howell-Egan and her fellow students remain focused on organizing community outreach and teach-ins to keep their movement alive.