CSUSM students protest IDF soldier event
Pro-Palestinian student organizations and allies gathered outside Kellogg Library, at California State University San Marcos. The students then marched to a private event held on campus which was host to two IDF soldiers. The soldiers were part of the ‘Triggered Tour’, which brings active-duty soldiers from the Israeli Military to campuses to speak about their experiences in combat.
In recent months, California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) has experienced multiple student-led protests addressing various social and political issues, including pro-Palestinian activism and concerns over free speech.
In February 2025, during the university's Social Mobility Symposium, students and faculty organized a protest to demand that Chancellor Mildred García and CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt declare the campus a sanctuary space for undocumented students. Following this demonstration, six individuals—including four current students and two alumni—received disciplinary notices for allegedly violating the university's Time, Place, and Manner policy. Potential consequences included suspension or expulsion. Additionally, one student, Amber Arenas, was terminated from her on-campus employment and paid internship due to her involvement in the protest.
In response to these disciplinary actions, CSUSM students and faculty participated in a walkout to protest what they perceived as the university's suppression of free speech and targeting of student activists. This event was part of a broader Student and Faculty Week of Action across the California State University system, advocating for the reevaluation of policies perceived to limit campus free expression.
These events at CSUSM reflect a broader trend across U.S. universities.
