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U.S. NEWS

Tangled Ivy

Protests over the war in Gaza are escalating across U.S. universities.

What happened first?
Things heated up last Wednesday at Columbia as its president, Dr. Minouche Shafik, testified before Congress about campus antisemitism.

The same day, hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters pitched tents on the green of the school’s Manhattan campus, opposing Israel’s military action in Gaza, calling for the destruction of the Jewish State, and pushing the university to divest from companies who “profit from Israeli apartheid.”

As Jewish students increasingly reported antisemitic incidents on campus ahead of Passover (which began Monday), the administration asked for police assistance, and the NYPD arrested over 100 protesters Thursday. Then, on Monday, Columbia announced that classes would be held online for the rest of the semester, citing “intimidating and harassing behavior.”

And then it spread?
Yep. By Monday, pro-Palestine protests had swelled at NYU, UC Berkeley, Yale, Tufts, MIT, The University of Michigan, and Emerson. Hundreds have been arrested, Police are becoming increasingly involved, and many are closing their gates to the public as reports emerge of non-student activists agitating crowds. 

What has the response been?
Colleges are discussing the line between protecting free speech and ensuring student safety. President Shafik is at the center of the controversy, with both sides calling for her censure or resignation.

Sunday, the White House condemned calls for “violence and physical intimidation targeting Jewish students.” 

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CHOOSE HUMILITY
Being peaceable, gentle, and open to reason in the face of culturally hot topics is a sign of God’s wisdom in us. Believing you’re right is not an excuse to be harsh or impatient.

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense.”
James 3:17 (CSB)

LEGAL

The Latest Arguments

The Supreme Court is staying busy. 

On Monday, the Court appeared inclined to side with the city of Grants Pass, Oregon, in a high-profile homelessness case. Grants Pass prohibits camping or sleeping on public property, with violators facing a fine and/or jail time — which a lawsuit alleges violates the 8th Amendment’s protection against cruel and unusual punishment. 

Conservative justices seemed to think questions about homeless encampments should be left to local governments, while liberal justices expressed concern over the town’s lack of “compassion” and the potential “criminalization” of homelessness. 

A decision, expected this summer, could have sweeping implications for how homelessness is handled nationwide.

The Court also heard arguments in a case involving Starbucks employees’ desire to unionize and agreed to hear a case involving the legality of difficult-to-trace “ghost guns."

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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
As the justices consider a complicated case involving people experiencing homelessness, may we pray for justice to be done everywhere in our world.

“Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
Book of Common Prayer, Prayers for the Social Order

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On Monday, the U.K. parliament passed a divisive law allowing the deportation of asylum seekers to Rwanda — a response to the influx of migrants from Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Prime Minister Sunak promised chartered planes with trained staff will begin deportations in 10-12 weeks. Critics say deporting asylum seekers is inhumane.
 

If you need to get to (or away from) Vegas quickly… there’s a train for that. Brightline West is constructing “America’s first true high-speed rail” between Las Vegas and Los Angeles, halving transit time to just over two hours. The $12 billion project would carry 11 million passengers annually, create jobs, and reduce traffic and pollution — all at 186 mph.
 

Niger is booting U.S. troops out of the country. The U.S. military has invested over $1 billion in Niger — a strategic location for regional counterterrorism efforts — over the last decade, but the relationship frayed after Niger’s military coup in 2023. Now, Niger’s leaders are turning to Russia for security services and ordered U.S. troops to leave.
 

The Federal Trade Commission voted 3-2 yesterday to ban noncompete agreements. Once reserved for executives, noncompetes now prevent an estimated 30 million Americans from working for their employer’s competitor or starting a rival business — including some hourly fast food workers. Business groups argue noncompetes are critical to protecting company secrets and have promised to challenge the new rule in court.
 

If she could turn back time… Cher would have missed learning that she’ll be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on October 19th. The other 2024 inductees are Mary J. Blige, Dave Matthews Band, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Ozzy Osbourne, A Tribe Called Quest, and the band that helped everyone celebrate good times (come on)... Kool & The Gang.

WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

An interesting (but incredible) use of bowls…

Where We’re Giving
OneHope*

ICYMI, we’re campaigning with One Hope this week to get the gospel to 250,000 children in Nigeria.

Believers in northern Nigeria live under constant threat of abuse, trafficking, and martyrdom by Islamic militants, making Nigeria the sixth most dangerous place to live as a Christian. The darkness is overwhelming, but OneHope is bringing the light of Christ — a hope that terrorism can’t strip away — to thousands of children through local churches and partners.

Join us in partnering with OneHope, and we’ll match the first $5,000 given here. Every $1 donated brings the good news to three Nigerian children.

What We’re Watching
“The After Party” from Redeeming Babel*

On a list of what defines you, where does your political identity rank?

We think Jesus would rank it pretty low — David French, Russell Moore, and Curtis Chang agree. These Christian thought leaders encourage us to focus less on what policy, party, or candidate is the “most Christian" and more on how we relate to others — including those we might disagree with — to better reflect Jesus.

Their free video series helps explain how we got into this mess, what we can learn from politics in Jesus’ time, and how to chart a path forward with hope & humility.

It’s designed for people who know there’s a better way to “do politics.” Check out the free course.