In the ongoing protests across the United States demanding an end to the Israeli occupation of Gaza and the withdrawal of US support, at least 50 professors have been detained by US police. According to CNN, some professors were directly involved in the protests, while others showed solidarity.

The arrests occurred as professors participated in or filmed the protests, with some facing beatings and harassment by law enforcement. The protests initially began at Columbia University on April 17, spreading to over 150 educational institutions in the US and 12 countries in Europe. During this time, more than 2500 students were arrested in the US and over 300 in Europe.

At Columbia University, where students protested on campus for weeks, police removed demonstrators on April 29, resulting in 13 arrests. In Atlanta, economics professor Carolyn Fallin was detained while trying to prevent police from arresting a student. She faced physical resistance and was charged with obstructing the police.

Similarly, University of Washington professor Steve Tamari was arrested after filming a protest, enduring physical assault that resulted in broken ribs and arm bones. At the University of California, 15 professors joined the protest, with some subsequently arrested. Graeme Blair, one of the professors, highlighted police harassment during detention.

Isaac Kamola, director of the Center for the Defense of Academic Freedom of the American Association of University Professors, noted the attention drawn to the handcuffing of professors, emphasizing the significance of their involvement in the protests.