Pro-Palestinian students in US are wearing masks. Why so?

There has been an increase in the demonstrations over the war in Gaza on various campuses in the United States in the recent past. Not only in campuses, but demonstrations have also surged in offices in the United States. However, while the protestors are determined to protest, a fear surrounding professional reprisals still linger.

On April 17, the latest demonstration of protests commenced in the campus of Columbia University. It is strange to note that demonstrators have been wearing masks in such protests. Many have also been seen using blankets in order to deal with protestors from filming the students. At a tent encampment at the University of Michigan, students were seen being extra careful while protests. They were given with masks upon getting entered. Also, students refrained from giving their full names to reporters as they avoid punitive actions from school against them. 

What worries protestors are harassment and retaliation, specifically online. Groups are making attempts to identify and target the protestors. Protestors also worry sharing their private information online and falling into the trap of doxing. Demands have been made that pro-Palestinian protestors actually remove the masks that they are wearing at the time of rallies. This, however, has ignited consequences. Ever since protestors have summoned the courage to abide by these demands, many have lost their jobs or are experiencing blacklisting. It is due to this that many protestors actually cover faces at the time of demonstrations. It is because of these fears that protestors have been covering their faces with either medical masks of headdresses showcasing Palestinian solidarity. There are some university administrators, however, warning against wearing such masks. They cited old laws ceasing the Ku Klux Klan.

Talking about the University of Austin, Texas, the students' dean sent a letter aimed at canceling a campus demonstration. It said that the Instagram post of an organizer told protestors to bring masks. This would actually break the rules of the school policy against the obstruction of law enforcement. However, this did not stop the protest. This led the local and state police to arrest many for trespassing. Out of the dozens of people who were arrested, one was also a journalist.