Juan González, Veteran of '68 Columbia Strike, Condemns Current University Leaders

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Tuesday’s raid on Columbia University came 56 years to the day that police raided Hamilton Hall, arresting 700 students protesting racism and the Vietnam War. Democracy Now! co-host Juan González, who was a student leader at the historic 1968 protest, says the violent crackdown on Columbia University and other campuses across the United States has refocused national attention on “an unjust war,” carried out by Israel with U.S. backing. “No commencement in America will occur in the next month where the war in Gaza is not a burning issue,” he says. He adds that the more diverse makeup of the protests today - led primarily by Palestinian, Muslim and Arab students - may have made school officials and police “much more willing to crack down” than when it was a mostly white protest movement.
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[@LAWOODSTORIES]

You are so cool Juan Gonzales. Thank you for still standing for justice! 👏

[@thomasjosullivan9179]

WOW Loved to hear Juan's story!!! Respect

[@keithkessler3761]

I was a student at Columbia April 30, 1968. How wonderful it is that a new generation is carrying the torch and fighting again for the lives of the victims of war and occupation!

[@Rafael-oi6dj]

Those students are far ahead morally & politically than the heads of the institutions they happen to be

[@theotherview1716]

😂😂😂 👌

[@nancyroberts1668]

Amen

[@nas6362]

Thank you, said it perfectly!!!

[@ileanahernandez1709]

We have never forgotten what the protest did in helping to inform a whole generation of the United States warmonger policies around the world 🌎🌍 I thank you students! 🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷

[@francismarion6400]

They spit on our veterans

[@jamalboomworld]

THE REAL ISSUE IS IGNORED WITH PROFITS WITH BIG TECH FOLLOW THE MONEY TRUTH MAKES SENSE, TECH CORP NEEDS CONGO.

[@wendynine-sc2sv]

Oh good grief. I was 17 in high school when that happened. The right to peaceful protest is STILL being challenged??!! It simply cannot go on as "business as usual!"

[@dag320]

Screaming at Jewish students and threatening them, blocking them and others from campus access is not peaceful

[@wendynine-sc2sv]

@dag320 NO, it's not right to do those things. I am sorry to hear about it, especially as my first husband and I were Kibbutz volunteers in the late 70's and although non-Jewish, we enjoyed it and are very sad about the entire situation. 😢 let there be peacefulness upon everyone, blessings...

[@brunoantony9257]

wake up this isn't peaceful

[@jayleeper1512]

It was until the police showed up. The violence was unleashed to prevent people from expressing their constitutional rights. That is the problem, not the protestors who are doing the right thing.

[@sashalalaa]

​@@dag320that's exactly what the pro Israel mob did to the pro Palestinian protesters.

[@daoistdansah54]

Thank you for your service and principled vision, Juan Gonzalez.

[@leofernandes8481]

Very proud of these young people who are exercising their voice in solidarity with the children of Gaza. In the future these young people will not bare the shame as many will for staying silence. Justice for the children of Gaza.

[@rosymylene1878]

It is WONDERFUL to hear Juan Gonzalez give us his historical perspective, first-hand, of students standing up for justice.

[@TIMMYSIPRANO]

THANK YOU JUAN GONZALEZ!

[@lauralafauve5520]

Wow. Juan. You lived the 1960s! Thank you for all the risks you took and the hard work you've done over the years. Sometimes our heroes are quiet men and women who've chipped away at the seemingly insurmountable, day by day, year by year. Thank you, Juan.

[@theheddy718]

I love Juan Gonzalez. He interviewed my dad in the 80s for the Daily News when my dad worked for the NYC Parks Department. He followed my dad and wrote an article on the day in the life of a NYC Parks worker.

[@Arahansannihilation]

Stand up for what is right. Students in every school from the time they can speak is instilled with this.

[@luisjimenez7109]

Stop genocide, stop represion against students.

[@joshmartin125]

“…At times, you must disrupt business as usual, to focus the public on a glaring injustice.”. Well said, Juan Gonzales!!❤

[@michaelbodine9240]

Exactly!

[@theotherview1716]

That’s a slipper slope

[@lauralafauve5520]

But if it leads upwards, that's sometimes the way to go. ​@@theotherview1716

[@irieify9334]

@@theotherview1716 A slippery slope is doing nothing.

[@HansvanLandschoot]

The policy of the Universities and the US government about Gaza is disgusting.

[@theotherview1716]

I am pro Palestinian, but I am against trespassing and or overtaking public buildings.

[@KsOs.]

​@@theotherview1716🤥

[@irieify9334]

@@theotherview1716 It's necessary. It drew the attention and created the dialogue needed for all to know the plight of the Palestinians. Going along with the status quo doesn't work.

[@christophwaltz8919]

@@theotherview1716 yeah sure obama lover

[@jeremygardner5987]

US citizens are going to be surprised how quickly they get treated like colonial subjects when the authorities start to lose their hegemonic power

[@esperanzasaname9612]

What happened to freedom of speech in this country? I was always so proud of our “supposed “ freedom of speech in our United States.

[@katong1953]

Freedom of speech my foot.

[@douglasryle6499]

Freedom of speech is not being suppressed.

[@user-pf7tf3rf1u]

AIPAC.

[@brucemcglasson]

​@@douglasryle6499Yep your right.👍

[@angelmendez2211]

@@douglasryle6499 Freedom of protest is.

[@freespiritsuzy]

Thank you, Juan and Amy!

[@thomasjosullivan9179]

Yes they deserve more subscribers all over the world........I am in Ireland and totally respect their work

[@billedley795]

Thanks Juan... I was a student at the University of Illinois when we protested the Vietnam War by taking over the Student Union in Champaign, Ill.

[@LeslieLennox]

thank you for your continued leadership and dedication Juan Gonzalez 🙏

[@julietag4]

Ain’t that America 🇺🇸! Liberty and Justice for all! Where is that in our country?

[@azalia423]

America has been lost to Zionism.

[@bassamh.mohamed5278]

The brutal war against Gaza made every thing clear.

[@heynowls3058]

Shame on Columbia. Solidarity with the Palestine protesters!

[@Mr.Altavoz]

You mean HAMAS HISBOLLAH IRAN 🤔? Terrorism does not recognise borders and affects states irrespective of their geographical location. Individuals and groups who believe they can use terror to advance political aims challenge democracy, the values of society, and the rights and freedoms of citizens.

[@gabrielleangelica1977]

Brown University handled it better. There should have been better communication and dialogue. Proud of Juan!

[@KSP669]

That recording from 68 made me so emotional ❤

[@thomasjosullivan9179]

Before I was born but huge respect to Juan

[@janetcurrie1493]

I was a Canadian student at Indiana University in 1968. Police raided our campus and the university shut down. Our student president was a black panther. Kent State was the culmination of the police presence and was shocking. Witnessing what is happening on campuses today feels very scary and deliberately violent. Thank you students and Juan for standing up for justice.

[@YouTubeCensorsEverything]

Wow they actually attempted to negotiate with them in 68'? Now its just straight on to the violent solution.

[@RedRose-id4sd]

Thank you Juan

[@emiliobello2538]

We lost our freedom Germany has too

[@andrewreynolds912]

The fact is that the crackdown of these protests will have consequences for the future it's gonna change these people forever for the better, including what happened all around the country and that's a problem for those at the top I'm the future

[@christinaakbari6241]

Thank you Juan!

[@justme2me]

Thank you mr Gonzales for being on the right side of history 👍🏾

[@OmANnIe]

Absolutely agree! We need this hate to stop! The financing/condining of genocide is heartbreaking and infuriating. We need more humanity and enough of the hate and greed! Bless all the people all over the world who stand together for humanity ❤

[@Robert-gb7ex]

Humanity ? What's your stand on abortion

[@OmANnIe]

@Robert-gb7ex my stand on abortion is its a personal, private choice and it's no one else's business what any does in their private life, especially the government and that it has nothing to do with this topic.

[@Robert-gb7ex]

@@OmANnIe genocide was mentioned, but I guess you never thought of it that way

[@OmANnIe]

@@Robert-gb7ex okay

[@user-ec8rn2bu5n]

This is the USAs Tiananmen Square in slow motion. Wait till the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. ‘Won’t you please come to Chicago and join the other side. ‘ The song goes.

[@wetrucken1689]

Thank you Juan!!!!!❤thank you!!!

[@rosearning9974]

Embarrassment to America. Despicable. Iran Is laughing.

[@BashoStrikes]

Iran won't exist, as we know it, very soon.

[@jillianchaloux6186]

Keep telling yourself that.

[@user-wl1cp7xy2b]

No, telling it to you.

[@BashoStrikes]

@@jillianchaloux6186 Move back to Iran and you can go bye bye with the rest of them.

[@rosearning9974]

@@jillianchaloux6186 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@andyprompt]

Bless you Juan

[@user-oblomov]

Free Palestine, free US from israel!

[@NDO75]

How can we public, support these students & protect their degrees? Guys, let’s put it together. You will have my support. PLEASE

[@djnkosi]

Speak the truth Juan! You're spot on! 👍🏽

[@zombiehampster1397]

The youth should always protest the hypocrisy of adults. And I'm glad that our youth still has the fire equal to those from a previous era. Its also really awesome to hear Mr. Gonzalez speaking in his youth. Very impressive.

[@mahdedarmo]

The struggle continues.

[@rul4522]

Juan is so right in what he says!

[@katong1953]

@rul. My post rightfully praising Juan was swiftly censored by UT. Truly small minded.

[@GraceCole-qy6ul]

His speech from when he was younger is an example of the exact type of leadership the protesters are missing today.

[@rul4522]

@@katong1953 dank,!

[@toeksh]

Welcome to the United States of Israel

[@piku5637]

Defund Ïsræl. Normalize active unions and local worker, housing and utility co-ops. Preserve🗳️democracy. There Ⓐre more of us☭🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🇵🇸then there are corrupt politicians and the rich.🕊️

[@andreharris8995]

If it's more of y'all then you should go back to your country and fight your War don't fight it in America because we don't want to hear that s*** we got our own problems go to your front yard and fight your fight

[@thomasjosullivan9179]

WOW Respect to you ......Juan González.........I guessed you were a good guy....but now you go up the levels !!!!!!

[@menudobucket9837]

That moral bankruptcy seems to be infectious.. it’s easier to allow corrosion than to remove the corrosive element; easier to lie down and allow the force to pass over than to stand up and resist it; easier to let morals decay than to act in their defense. It’s the path of least resistance that a decadent society chooses.

[@farrfarr5697]

Juan Gonzalez is a great American who deserves to be known to every American. Thank you! Muchas Gracias!

[@JohnJohnson-cn9fh]

full solidarity to the columbia students and all others taking action,i remember as a young english factory worker feeling for young americans forced into this terrible war in vietnam to kill and be killed,kent state hed a big effect on me and neil young summed up my feeling in his incredible song ohio,juan i can only respect your principled stand in 68,as i do these brave young students now,yours in peace and solidarity......................jpj

[@johnmoss3810]

Thanks Amy ❤💪

[@ninovelez100]

All they are saying is five peace a chance 🎵🎶🎼

[@judithmatthews8460]

When the authority feels threatened it closes ranks. They feel threatened by the loss of money. Grants, donations power. Ethics, integrity, justice are irrelevant to these University leader they’ve lost sight of what true education is about. Those of us who lived through the late 60s see the parallels here. It’s scary.

[@misafir716]

Respect students

[@denjremote2557]

Silence in the face of genocide is complicity. By not speaking out, we indirectly support oppressors and fail the victims. History will judge not just the perpetrators, but also our silence. Raise your voice-every word counts.

[@victoriaconnor8295]

Thank You Mam. You Are An Awesome Reporter/Leader!❤

[@seriela]

Acho, Juan. Por poco me haces llorar de nuevo. Thank you for your message to students wearing their badges of courage as opposed to the administrators' cowardice. Genocide requires disruption of business as usual. Pa'lante.

[@fearreavers]

There is a time when the operation of the machine becomes so odious, makes you so sick at heart, that you can't take part! You can't even passively take part! And you've got to put your bodies upon the gears and upon the wheels ... upon the levers, upon all the apparatus, and you've got to make it stop! And you've got to indicate to the people who run it, to the people who own it, that unless you're free, the machine will be prevented from working at all! - Mario Savio

[@kwatson4394]

Yes, Juan!!! Thank You!! 👏❤👏❤👏

[@azalia423]

The school presidents depend on pleasing their donors. The schools have to please Congress which are owned by Aipac. The donors are often compromising as well. Looks like Columbia is owned by Israel.

[@attackofthewindmills]

Thank you sir

[@alviverdeus]

Keep it up, kids. You have AIPAC in a panic. That's the reason for the brutal crackdown. Protesting Israel is not a crime.

[@KosmicG88]

Juan is an amazing man!

[@A__Love]

Juan making such a good point about the protesters being largely students of colour today vs white and black students of '68 and the police/university crack down being worse now because of that fact

[@nazsarah4237]

History always thankful and remember that's heroes who stands for truth and justice.

[@BrerRabbit73]

Amazing. Thanks Juan

[@jasonparker9367]

Thank you, Juan Gonzalez. You're a brilliant man.

[@johnrowson2253]

Thanks Juan !

[@Go4PlanB]

thank you

[@mouhamadeldarwich]

Cheers for Juan

[@alexglanz7406]

My high school graduation in 1969 included black arm bands and moments of silence for our fallen friends. I am quite proud of these moral and driven students that feel compelled to call out Israel and its illegal occupations and current genocide in Palestine's Gaza.

[@carysmeredith9909]

No way? He was there?! Watch you guys from Cardiff, Wales. You're just the coolest xxx

[@deevisel7673]

This was nothing like 68. I remember

[@ruthrudin8981]

I also remember.This is a LOT like68!The only differences being that the students are less violent and the police are more violent than they wereback then.There is the same main stream media bias and slurring of protesters. the same MIC pushing for war and trying to justify the unjustifyable is happening too. The D N Convention is going to explode again.

[@ParatyTV]

Juan 💗💗💗🙌🙌🙌

[@robertschultz366]

I wonder if the people of Rafa will be allowed to evacuate before the annihilation happens? Even if Rafa is leveled and thousands more are killed and wounded, terrorism will still be alive and well.

[@nurlindafsihotang49]

Called them terrorist will never erased that the palestinian are native there, hasbara. Including Palestinian jews. Israeli will never be asian, and you never thinks you are asian, why are you in our continent!?

[@priapsus]

Juan is the man!

[@nihaal68]

Salute to these students

[@brucemcglasson]

Hippie chick Amy going back to the good old 60s.😂😂😂

[@loveguitar2x]

She’s lost her credibility

[@thomasjosullivan9179]

Amy is amazing and just shows getting older does not mean dropping the principles you stood for in your youth

[@ponnaga550]

I see him even today as 25 year old student of Columbia campus protests

[@gigitexas]

United States of Israel

[@paulyang9590]

2014, Sunflower revolution in Taiwan, for stopping unfair China- Taiwan trade agreement. Over 3000 college students occupied Congress House for almost a month and over 300K people surrounding the Congress House to protect these students by police intruders, violence arrested. These students translate press releae more than 10 different languages to major news agencies, Like Router, AP, AFP... regarding their main purposes, annocements, main issues. And conversation with Taiwan President. But they were successfully to stop unfair trade agreement between China- Taiwan. Today, if these protestors are controlled by outsiders agitators . They didn't organize well to protect protesters and all news Medias spreads misleading information, anti-Semitism , Jewish students fears? false narrative. None of Jewish students physically harms. On the contrary , these protesters were violence arrested by police, and ordered by college Presidents????

[@cev12]

"Suspended" but not expelled, right? These students can return once they've been "punished."

[@Sokekajal]

Respect to Juan!

[@totonow6955]

Come join us now! .- Juan Gonzales

[@imfamemitotero7171]

Buen trabajo chavalona

[@warenewaz3183]

Pls Mr. Juan express that last opinion again and again in the media.

[@markfischer3626]

I think in the average American's mind the words Palestinian, Mislim, and Arab are synonymous with terrorist even though it is unfair and untrue. The manner of these demonstrations evidently deliberately disrupting business as usual is not the intent of the freedoms in the bill of rights. If the demonstrations are comstrued as supporting Hamas then the legal penalties will be muvh more severe

[@user-wl1cp7xy2b]

So, what you're saying is that YT America has not changed since 1968.

[@bobsanborn2395]

Campus Nakba

[@nancyroberts1668]

❤

[@captainjack5529]

Lunatic fringe, we all know you’re out there…

[@tempacc9589]

Numba Juan

[@carlosmartinez6227]

What Young Lords? NPR Is gangster?!?!?

[@jayleeper1512]

All replies are deleted. Big brother is watching.

[@ministerjeannielaine3637]

Yes yes yes.

[@tamarschilgi5744]

Putin, Chimani, and Xi are feeling good these days.

[@ree5403]

❤❤

[@StevenWolf275]

Double citizenship in.... minnessotta

[@neoneherefrom5836]

I don’t see any of those folks in ‘68 hiding their faces. Why is that?

[@andyprompt]

They didn't have social media and riot cops back then

[@andyprompt]

Many cops and army folks hide their faces for similar reasons

[@waltonsmith7210]

Who gives a shit?

[@neoneherefrom5836]

No riot police in 1968? You sure about that, son?

[@nanaro6809]

Only thiefs cover their faces.

[@pluribus_unum]

Same inadequate response by the authorities at the University, the police department, the city, as well as the state and the nation, nearly six decades later.

[@deevisel7673]

You cannot compare the two.

[@mahboopful]

Why can you not compare the two?

[@nurlindafsihotang49]

Mass bombing check US involvement check War crimes and use of gas and chemical weapon, double check Financed by US government without the approval from US citizens, check. Try harder, hasbara.

[@Christian-ip3vz]

Juan is an OG dawg.