Juan González Reflects on Historic 1968 Columbia Protests & Crackdown on Gaza Solidarity Encampment

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Fifty-six years ago today, hundreds of students at Columbia University in New York started a revolt on campus, occupying school buildings and disrupting class to protest the school's ties to the Vietnam War and racism in New York. Democracy Now! co-host Juan González, who participated in the 1968 protests when hundreds of students were injured by police and arrested, speaks about the rebellion and how it compares to Columbia's crackdown on pro-Palestinian protesters occupying campus today. "What really strikes me about this response is the total flouting of any kind of democratic process by the current administration compared to what happened in 1968," says González. "These students are protesting a genocide that is occurring before the eyes of the entire world and that is being funded by U.S. arms. And if anyone has the right to rebel and to stand up against injustice, these students do."
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[@jorgelopez8675]

THESE YOUNG PEOPLE GIVE ME HOPE FOR A BETTER FUTURE

[@sophiedickerson6620]

How does another holocaust mindset give you hope? Wow! Sick!

[@kayh5390]

These young people are going to get Trump re-elected. What future then?

[@pao6097]

@@kayh5390 Biden has already sunk himself

[@boris-qf2vd]

@@kayh5390 perhaps a return to constitutional, actual representative government times. has to feel good knowing all the dems just sent israel even more billions and arms. the dichotomy of the rainbow warriors dropping their garb for hamass is something also.

[@Lunatic4Bizcas]

@@kayh5390 : Fv

[@Zaffir1846]

What a legend, Juan standing on business since decades ago✊

[@shadebleu]

And these were Republicans.

[@Richardwestwood-dp5wr]

Juan is a great guy.

[@seniorskateboarder5958]

I had a professor in the early 70s who was a literal bystander at this protest. He had climbed into a tree to get a good view. The police came by, ripped him from the tree, and then seriously beat him. After that, he was no longer a bystander but an avid protestor.

[@govindaanand2284]

FROM A BYSTANDER TO A DIEHARD ---- **GOVERNMENTS CREATE TERRORISTS**

[@Richardwestwood-dp5wr]

They literally beat some sense into him 😅

[@user-gl5yk5ys5b]

He was an innocent bystander. Righty-oh, Jussie.

[@Christian-ip3vz]

Juan Gonzalez is legend. What a dawg.

[@zombiehampster1397]

And he's so low-key, I love it.

[@willemventer3935]

A-HOLE

[@cassandracapranica3669]

Amy and Juan are absolute LEGENDS!

[@zombiehampster1397]

I'm glad we have good people like Mr. Gonzalez in this world.

[@budrollin]

"There comes a time when the operation of the machine becomes so odious....."-Mario Savio, "There comes a time when silence is betrayal" -Martin Luther King Jr

[@shadebleu]

MLK was a Republican.

[@tempacc9589]

Having Juan as a special guest is a massive flex

[@suha16th]

Thank you Juan Gonzalez

[@philostreet781]

Never thought I would witness 1968 student protest crackdown again in 2024❤

[@ingehanson]

I supported them then, I support them now. I worked for the United Nations International School at that time.

[@user-gl5yk5ys5b]

Never thought that a day would come when no Lefties on earth understood what the words "trespassing", "vandalism", and "burglary" mean. Oh, well. The police will explain it to them.

[@atosvr2]

thank you for pointing out the GLARING LACK of actual democracy by the "powers that be" currently. the overall difference between the two eras plainly shows the insidious incremental steps of heading towards actual fascism here in the u.s.

[@l.w.paradis2108]

Incremental? Capital controls.

[@user-bi2by7rf8m]

i hope trump gets elected and proves the usa was never realy a "democracy' as if we havent proven this already.

[@joshuaallen7826]

Juan is an international treasure!

[@user-pf7tf3rf1u]

Juan you are so right. 1968 was hard for me from a working class neighborhood with a brother then in Viet Nam. Neither of us could find it on a map back then if asked. These students today are really courageous and know right from wrong and genocide is wrong. I would like to see more Americans get their news from democracy now or other sources outside of the mainstream where this genocide is on full display. Our government (both parties) are responsible for this with the funding to Israel. It must be stopped.

[@pao6097]

Well said👏

[@shadebleu]

You never fought in Nam.😊

[@Apocalyptic_chick]

The ICJ ruling didn’t mention a genocide happening though…

[@santichatterjee7284]

Brilliant Amy🎉Thank you Juan❤❤

[@Dani68ABminus]

Thanks for speaking out and for being on the just side of history, Juan!

[@ianmaidment2258]

Anti genocide is not antisemitism

[@Seekthetruth3000]

Read the Hamas charter.

[@mathieufaltys]

@@Seekthetruth3000

[@donnavorce8856]

EXACTLY. It's amazing your comment didn't get taken down by the snowflakes. So glad it did not.

[@handle8431]

Nazism started on the campuses. Socialists, Islam o socialists, the same as the National Socialists.

[@w.benson3011]

@@Seekthetruth3000 Read the Likud Party's 1977 foundational party platform!!!

[@SatsJava]

Long Live Resistance

[@willemventer3935]

EXACTLY WHAT ARE YOU RESISTING???

[@conniefoss9382]

Wow. Thank you for this reference to history. I am outraged at the sudden anti democratic behavior of our government.

[@donnavorce8856]

Well and a lot of plain folk all around us as well. It's horrible.

[@joyinhk3269]

It's not sudden. More like no longer under cover.

[@Richardwestwood-dp5wr]

It's because of the rampant idiocracy everywhere in American society

[@nellyjane21]

Did you see the BLM protests a few yrs ago ? Police arrested & abused in hidden areas

[@user-gl5yk5ys5b]

I am outraged that you think my rights end where your Eternal Synthetic Victimhood begins.

[@user-pw9cx1rd9t]

So great to have you cover 1968!!! Nothing changes!

[@DiamondFlame45]

Juan is such an OG Beast! Much respect!

[@bpalpha]

Get up! Stand up! 🇬🇳

[@sawyer4713]

Love it!! I was at San Francisco State from '68 to '70. Go Students!!!

[@l.w.paradis2108]

I was in 8th grade, working-class public . . .

[@w.benson3011]

Was in the protest that blocked Interstate I-5 in the spring of 1970, near the U of W in Seattle, just after Kent State. First time ever! Nothing like blocking an interstate to get the ruling class's attention.

[@joyinhk3269]

I was there in 67 - 68. Just missed you!

[@shadebleu]

I wasn't born yet. You old fogies.

[@jornalistarenatarosa4205]

Juan Gonzalez making history once again!

[@zacheryhershberger7508]

Thanks Juan. History maker.

[@amandaoconnor2854]

As a 64 year old Canadian woman I wish there was a lot more college and university protest here. My alma matar had nothing going on. We were very active in SA Apartheid divestment. I know the CDN post-secs are heavily invested in arms & military equipment. Disgusting 🤢

[@user-pf7tf3rf1u]

See if your bank invested/loaned Israeli weapons manufacturers. I cancel accounts in two banks here in the states.

[@Richardwestwood-dp5wr]

​@@user-pf7tf3rf1uthumbs-up 👍

[@jbluzb]

Wow Juan standing for rights since way back

[@lauralafauve5520]

As one of my young Uber drivers said, "you lived it", Juan. Thank you, thank you for sharing. 💙🙏🏼💙

[@Verbomasbello]

His voice is still the same 😂 big ups unc. 💪🏽 Juan Gonzalez has been a voice of reason during my lifetime.

[@MinkytheMinkY]

Juan is an OG, hats of to you ,sir. Much respect.

[@jchoudhu]

Thank you Juan! Your words should be heed to as you walked the walk, and continue to do so.

[@medinasrosarioz4543]

Got goosebumps seeing Professor Juan Gonzalez. His college class was the class I was supposed to be in, but cancelled, on 9/11. He was working for the Daily News and said he couldn’t stay cause he had to cover this story.

[@ruthieworldonewomanshow]

"And they've been crushing dissent ever since"! . . . And here we are . . .

[@patbaig4279]

Thank you, Juan

[@ungratefulninja4535]

Much respect to all the young people of conscience.✌🏾💜🇵🇸

[@leviashanken2506]

Right on, Juan!

[@kashifzaheer7804]

wish i could be part of Columbia university. salute to these protestor for peace in Gaza and Palestinian

[@joyinhk3269]

Maybe there's a college campus near you that could use a support group. This is going on in many locations, and is, I believe, going to spread.

[@rumpelcita]

Juan was such an example!!!

[@seriela]

'Acho, Juan. Me hiciste llorar. The way you honed in on the difference between '68 and now. I would have expected more humanity from university administrators. But, students always give me hope. ¡Que vivan les estudiantes! ¡Pa'lante!

[@joefenlon9162]

Whats the difference between now and 68?. I didnt watch the video 😂

[@ruthgallagher9584]

God bless the courage of these students. Thank you.

[@bobbart4198]

... I agree ... but do you have the same respect for the Students protesting Israel and it's treatment of the Palestinians ? ... This IS no different.

[@comecenter7001]

I was a 15 year old high school freshman in San Francisco in 1968 when the student protests at Columbia broke out. What they did there 56 years ago inspired me to become much more involved in the anti-war movement of the day, which in turn led to me becoming a life-long left wing political activist. From my own experience, I know that what these courageous, righteous protesting students are doing right now,56 years later, on campuses across the country, is likely to have a powerful ripple effect. I salute them from across the decades. Respect.

[@MarkSpohr]

Good to see students still protesting injustice. Back in the 60s when I was a student, we protested the war. Now we have another unjust war. Keep protesting. History is on our side.

[@VK-md7jm]

This has nothing to do with 1960s. No parallels here. There is only one noisy, uncivilized group of people who have problem peacefully co-existing with others globally whether it be Middle East, South Asia, South-East Asia, Europe and now USA. They are able to find 'useful idiots' to support their cause - 'global domination' playing victim card.

[@gmedeiros5748]

Dr King believed in the power of Love and what he believed is the light that can not be put out

[@JeffEbe-te2xs]

The protesters are calling for Jewish genocide

[@ro6742]

Did you know it was proven in a court of law that James Earl Ray didn’t kill Martin King? Look it up….a Memphis Police officer fired the shot.

[@RuriSkyPrince]

University students are usually at the forefront of social change, progressive movements and the action. I am happy to see that this continues to be true. We need to support our young folk, they will be the political leaders of our future and they are the voters of today.

[@sauronthegreat5799]

Amen. When I was in college in the 80s. We had protests against South African apartheid.

[@user-in5sh5fg3s]

​@@sauronthegreat5799is there any documentary about it...plse share

[@donnavorce8856]

Vietnam era . . . same thing. The status quo doesn't want to lose it's position. The addiction to money, power and prestige makes people to horrible things.

[@rumpelcita]

The difference between before and now. No democracy! No freedom of expression! Not allowed to stand against injustice! So sad. 😢

[@donnavorce8856]

I'd say there's actually very little difference. The cops show up and arrest/beat the people in both cases.

[@yogi4lyfe]

Proud of our students.

[@elainewojnicki9610]

I'm proud of your students and i'm from England.

[@lunalunera5ty1t]

I hope all students of Columbia University are safe, and I hope the Jewish students realize what's evident: the protest is not against Judaism, it is against genocide. It is against the same genocide we saw in WWII, in Rwanda, South Africa and many other parts of the world. Columbia University students who are fighting injustice will always be remembered as the ones who care for "justice for all." They are real nationalists in the "good way" of caring for your nation reputation and safety. If the war escalate, thousands of young American lives will be lost and probably the whole planet. The Columbia University students are doing what's right for the US and for the world.

[@nurlindafsihotang49]

The european jews should be the *1st* speak about anti genocide! They SHOULD BE!😢

[@user-gl5yk5ys5b]

ISIS and Hamas are murde rous islamo-fasc ists and "from the river to the sea" means exte rmination of Israel. you can fool yourself in your little echo chamber, but watch what happens on Nov. 2.

[@steviemack2580]

Vive resistance ❤ Way to go Juan

[@user-oj9hm6ss5i]

If the national guard is sent to Columbia or any other University, the faculty must walk out, effectively closing the campus The Kent State Faculty Senate has had such a pledge in place since 1970.

[@jameelaahmed5239]

❤ Juan

[@GrokEight]

That's a hard jacket she's wearing. What a G.

[@MiladaKaiser]

I used to live in Czechoslovakia. My memories from 1968 are different. In August 21st all our country was suddenly occupied by Soviet Army. In only one day. Behind the Iron Curtain we did not have any way to find out if some Columbia students protested.

[@shadebleu]

Nobody cares.

[@user-gl5yk5ys5b]

@@shadebleu Of course you don't, Lefty. You guys always close your eyes and refuse to look at the endless horror that communism produced. Otherwise, your Official Narrative breaks down.

[@MrAdhiSuryana]

If this happened in Taiwan or Hongkong, media will potray the government as a tyrant 😂

[@lauralafauve5520]

And we are portraying our government as the Easter Bunny? If the shoe fits, wear it.

[@danielcaraveo4844]

The classic tale of people vs institutions. People vs power. And power is there to serve and idolize itself. Indeed the laws are made in theory to discipline power, but in practice, law is mage to discipline labor.

[@robbertburns]

Israel, America's strategic liability. Shutting down discussion of Genocide occurring right now.

[@user-mh9xe7lc5n]

Not all protestors will be antisemitic, among many their grandparents would have had the same reaction during ww2. In many ways this a " happening," and all should respect for others and make an effort to not become barriers to free speech.

[@l.w.paradis2108]

Maybe as many as half are Jewish. A large proportion in any case.

[@rrubens3026]

Very cool Juan 😎

[@debwefox]

I love Democracy Now! Keeping the fire burning and shared

[@rumpelcita]

Wow what a historic moment.

[@brooke26019]

Juan WHAT A LEGEND

[@totonow6955]

Let's talk in small groups.- Juan Gonzales

[@johncasey1020]

Wow man. The way you baby boomers light up when you talk about the '60's. It's heart warming.

[@NeptuneVA]

Wow, I never knew this about Juan. So much respect for him and all those who resisted.

[@rumpelcita]

Juan Gonzalez you rooock!!!!!

[@azalia423]

Righteous students, then and now! Thank you.

[@christosp.tsonis6194]

Nothing has changed. History repeats itself. The University campus is a place for students and faculty to express their views and ideas without any interference from the government and the police. Shame, there is no academic freedom any longer. Do you remember the Vietnam war demonstrations? I wonder what the officials reaction would have been if the demonstrations were anti Palestinian. Israel government takes Palestinian land from the West Bank and builds settlements, how you would react if your neighbor takes a few square meters of your backyard and use it for himself?

[@JeffEbe-te2xs]

The protesters are calling for Jewish genocide

[@LifeDL]

The same liberals have flipped completely. They now believe in censorship and wars.

[@tethergobrrr]

Good point. When I bought my house I asked my neighbour if I could remove our rusted out demarcation line fence and share the fence on his property. I promised I wouldn’t put anything on the 5cm on my side that was actually his. Pathetically, as Australian settlers on stolen land, never ceded, neither of us own any of it. It shouldn’t have taken seeing genocidal settler colonialism in 4K, in real time to feel the weight of it. Plenty of shame to go round.

[@user-gl5yk5ys5b]

vandalism, trespassing and burglary will remain illegal in the USA no matter how big of a ludicrous hypocrite that the average Lefty becomes

[@writerconsidered]

Its not just the young. I'm 60 and stand by these students. The story of 6 yr old Hind really broke me.

[@threedogzz]

Capitalism doin its thing, rinse repeat

[@johnhmielewski1230]

You spelled communism wrong.

[@opalina74]

Juan Gonzalez 🔥🔥

[@SLAUSONGIRL]

Powerful thank you

[@veroave57]

I was a senior in high in nyc and had several friends who were freshman there. He is so right. At that time, my news came on my FM radio WBAI and now now Democracy Now

[@banzobeans]

Thank you Mr. González

[@junebrilly5302]

Juan Gonzalez, you are my kind of HERO! Thankyou for your steadfast moral caompass!❤

[@mickeywood3012]

Become involved and learn what it really means to truly live your life.

[@MrTwenty20video]

Love you Juan ❤

[@june2420111]

You are an inspiration Mr. Gonzalez! Young people will follow in your footsteps. Thank you for pointing out the lack of due process and democratic values in the way pro-peace students have been treated in 2014. I hope the government and the universities are held accountable

[@pao6097]

Juan Gonzales is a person I deeply admire - knowledgeable, ethical and always asks the probing questions as a journalist. Amazing he was there then and is here to talk about it firsthand..I loved when he said that Shafik has very little time left as President of the university.i pray he’s right - that controlled puppet has to go

[@GottuboiBeachVolleyball]

As a CU Alumni ‘14, I support these student protest. I wonder what Lee Bollinger would do differently.

[@jewels11189]

Good individuals MUST always stand up. We must NEVER be silent Free innocent Palestinians Stop the atrocities

[@sher00979]

What a legend. Long live the resistance against any and all oppression

[@TauvicRitter]

Question: was this gentlemans name put on a list and his career destroyed by the government. An argument many are now using to threaten protesters.

[@clenke0]

I see we are rhyming again.....

[@nurlindafsihotang49]

Goddamit...we never learn huh? We will be our own undoing

[@vaclavkubicek2970]

I am 61 years old and I am sure that young people do not let lies and injustice pass.

[@lmarchand8526]

Oh man, Juan, you take me right back. It was in your country and in parts of western Europe too. I lived in Washington DC, home in Canada and in Europe back then. It was effervescent. I was a couple of years too young to understand details in 1968, but I did start to get it around 1970 with the Kent State riots, and by 1972 I was reading Jack London's "The Iron Heel" and "Do It!" by Jerry Rubin LOL I had a few draft dodger friends here in Canada, who went home in 1975 at the amnesty, and continued fighting for civil rights. Most of my teachers had been part of the great movement and spoke about it to us. It was such an exuberant and confident period for us young people. Do you remember that famous photograph of the girl inserting a flower in the barrel of a National Guard's rifle? (not sure if it was the National Guard though... ROTC or army maybe?) A popular credo was "Never trust anyone over 30", but young people generally trusted other young people. Today's young people can do it too... stand up peacefully and speak out for the present and future they want, whether it be ending the genocide in Gaza, ending the control over our lives by huge greedy corporations, or forcing government to act on climate change reduction for them and for all future children.

[@Christy-myplace]

Me crying over Juans recording 😭😭😭🥹

[@asnaeb2]

He truly is numba Juan

[@rjcgy713]

What a great clip

[@hannaelfar1816]

History repeats itself, the oppressed voices have to be heard and these kids are the extension of the oppressed….Free Palestine 🇵🇸

[@BigFatHeretic]

I’m 72 years old and I remember those days back in the 1960s. If there’s one thing we do learn from history, it’s that, we don’t learn from history! It’s not that history repeats itself, but rather, HISTORY RHYMES!!!!! Oh! I like Amy Goodman’s jacket! She looks bad ass!!!!!!! I love her!

[@shadebleu]

Get off the internet, gramps.

[@Richardwestwood-dp5wr]

With that jacket Amy looks sharp 👌

[@Kelpy]

The Columbia protest may be very important; the first big university anti-Vietnam war protests began at Columbia in 1968, a year before they began at Harvard and other universities like Berkeley. This could be the start of a bigger wave...

[@joyinhk3269]

My personal experience in San Francisco says that is not correct. The Berkeley Anti-war protests were big, loud and active at least two to three years before 1968. There were many protests in the Bay Area, both on and off campus. I have strong memories of the humdreds of Oakland Police facing off at us during a protest at the recruiting office. Not to take away from what happened at Columbia, but small details do matter.

[@sm.alrafai]

Juan, you're the bombdigidy 😊 keep going!

[@PaulBallantyne250]

And that "something" that has to change is that the USA has to move AWAY from Military Keynesianism (aka, socialism for the arms industry) and back to social Keynesianism (a 21st century new deal) for the sake of its people.

[@bijanabadi3993]

These brave students protest bring back good old memory of involvement in anti apartheid movement, occupation movement, and anti-war movement. Great job kiddos

[@richardlynch1094]

The South Africa Anti-apartheid/Student Divestment camp-ins started by Columbia and UC Berkeley in April 1985 through 1986, are at least as important to the current debate as the 1960s. Our work then resulted in the divestment of billions from South Africa, and materially benefitted 20 million South Africans held in bondage in their own country. As an old Berkeley radical, I couldnt be more proud to see students in the US using the tactic of divestment as a tool to bring Israel to the peace table. SOLIDARITY!

[@ro6742]

Another important thing to point out is the same group that was beaten by the police are now directing the police to do the beatings. 🙄

[@nurlindafsihotang49]

Like John f Kasich huh? Damn him!😢

[@nsbd90now]

Well, Juan Gonzalez sure didn't sell out and turn into your typical awful boomer, did he? lol!

[@tg5275]

Good job Juan!

[@lemures111]

💯🔥

[@jessevan7652]

Do not fund these wars !!! Period

[@cowsandpigsmaketheearthwar1471]

Philosophy You can’t fool all the people all the time -PaulTeich-©️10/31/2023 Get up stand up Stand up for your rights Get up stand up Please let’s end the fight We’re sick and tired of the ha-ting Let’s get together so we can sing We are one people we come from one place There’s no difference between us there is no race Get up stand up stand up for your rights Get up stand up Please, let’s end the fight He wants her water She wants his land Until they get together And put rings on their hands Get up stand up Stand up for your rights Get up stand up Please let’s end the fight Peace is free War costs too much We can’t see the people we bomb to bleed We all crave human touch Get up stand up Stand up for your rights Get up stand up It’s time to end the fight- Ting

[@santiagoalvarez6773]

I was unfamiliar with your game, Juan Gonzalez. Much respect to you!