3 weeks ago
Hundreds of students connected assemblage and assemblage campuses crossed nan country person been arrested complete this past week aft participating successful hate-fueled, anti-Israeli encampments.
Schools from Columbia University to nan University of Southern California, to nan University of Texas astatine Austin, person each seen dozens of arrests arsenic nan gatherings defy nan respective schools’ policies by displaying antisemitic connection aliases trespassing — but that’s not nan lawsuit astatine Liberty University.
The backstage Christian assemblage located successful Lynchburg, Virginia, held a monolithic gathering connected nan campus’ Academic Lawn Wednesday evening that went wide unnoticed arsenic location were nary arrests, nary anti-Israeli aliases anti-Jewish sentiments. Instead, nan monolithic crowd joined together to pray, worship, and publication nan Bible.
"While truthful galore assemblage campuses are erupting successful anger, hatred and violence; it is refreshing to spot Liberty students believe King Jesus," tweeted Jonathan Falwell, nan assemblage chancellor and pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church successful Lynchburg, who delivered a sermon astatine Wednesday’s gathering.
USC CLOSES CAMPUS 'UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE' FOLLOWING ANTI-ISRAEL PROTEST, 93 ARRESTED FOR TRESPASSING
Students astatine Liberty University believe and believe during an outdoor work connected field connected Wednesday, April 24, 2024. (Liberty University/ X)
"There is nary greater joyousness than seeing God’s group delight successful His truth," a Liberty University spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "While we are each tragically witnessing nan authorities of assemblage campuses erupting successful protestation crossed nan country, speaking pinch nan connection of hatred and promoting a wicked ideology that favors nan annihilation of an full title of people, by contrast, thousands of Liberty students gathered past nighttime connected our world section for nan believe of nan Lord Jesus Christ, Scripture reading, preaching, and prayer. Liberty students are actively seeking nan beingness of God."
The spokesperson noted location is besides a 24-hour student dream gathering that is ongoing astatine nan field chapel "right now arsenic we travel to nan extremity of our semester."
In nan tweet, Liberty University described nan arena arsenic nan "ultimate wrap-up to a semester filled pinch worship, fellowship, and diving heavy into nan Word together."
While not a protest, location was an evident opposition betwixt Liberty’s nationalist objection connected field and those astatine different colleges and universities.
Liberty University students participated successful a play belief work referred to arsenic Campus Church. On Wednesday, April 24, 2024, nan work was uniquely held outdoors.
Instead of chanting "We are Hamas," Liberty students sang out: "Great are you Lord."
Instead of repeating "From nan River to nan Sea," Liberty students belted out: "I’ll praise you successful nan valley, I’ll praise you connected nan mountain."
Liberty University held nan monolithic gathering outdoors arsenic different schools crossed nan state are holding anti-Israel demonstrations. (Liberty University/ X)
Students held a nationalist believe work astatine Liberty University successful Lynchburg, Virginia connected April 24, 2024. (Liberty University/ X)
The Christian school’s gathering comes connected nan heels of protests astatine UT-Austin and USC, which was forced to adjacent its field "until further notice" pursuing an anti-Israel protestation wherever 93 group were arrested for trespassing.
UT-AUSTIN PRESIDENT DEFENDS SHUTTING DOWN ANTI-ISRAEL PROTESTS: 'OUR RULES MATTER AND THEY WILL BE ENFORCED'
The Los Angeles Police Department arrived astatine field astir 4 p.m. aft agitators refused to travel nan university's petition to time off nan area, Capt. Kelly Muniz said connected X, Wednesday night.
"We haven't wished if they're going to beryllium cited aliases not. If and when, it is simply a misdemeanor offense. They are going, and they will beryllium going done nan booking process," Muniz said.
Muniz said location was an altercation successful a information of nan protestation area that resulted successful 1 apprehension for assault pinch a deadly weapon.
USC Safety officers effort to disperse students who protestation successful support of Palestinians, astatine nan University of Southern California's Alumni Park, amid nan ongoing conflict betwixt Israel and nan Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, successful Los Angeles, California, U.S., April 24, 2024. (REUTERS/Zaydee Sanchez)
The assemblage announced astatine 11:58 p.m. that nan protestation was declared complete and that nan field would beryllium closed "until further notice."
"The protestation connected nan UPC has ended. However, nan field remains closed until further notice. Students, faculty, staff, and group pinch business connected field whitethorn participate pinch due identification," USC tweeted.
Students build a protestation encampment successful support of Palestinians, astatine nan University of Southern California's Alumni Park, amid nan ongoing conflict betwixt Israel and nan Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, successful Los Angeles, California, U.S., April 24, 2024. (REUTERS/Zaydee Sanchez)
Pastor Jonathan Falwell contrasted Liberty's gathering to protests that are 'erupting successful anger, hatred and violence' for illustration nan encampment astatine Columbia University successful New York. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)
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USC Provost Andrew Guzman said nan actions of nan protesters "escalated to see acts of vandalism, defacing field buildings and structures, arsenic good arsenic beingness confrontation that threatens nan information of our officers and field community."
He besides said nan schoolhouse vehemently rejects "speech that is hateful and that causes harm to others."
Fox News’ Elizabeth Pritchett contributed to this report.
