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Harry Campbell was a few weeks from graduating in the spring of 2024 when he decided to join hundreds of demonstrators at the encampments at Washington University in St. Louis. He wanted to support the Palestinians suffering under Israel’s bombardment of Gaza — a cause that he and other students linked to the global struggle for the oppressed. Today, he’s not convinced the protests did much good, even now with a cease-fire agreement that has brought a fragile peace to the region. For young pro-Palestinian activists like Mr. Campbell, the truce is welcome, if bittersweet and long overdue. But some of them recalled the boisterous protests on campuses and in the streets — and the often overwhelming backlash — with a certain ruefulness, saying that they had absorbed sobering lessons about power and politics. More Americans have come to agree with the activists about Israel’s war conduct. But some of those protesters worry the blowback has been so severe — and the criticism against them so resonant — that the American belief in the concept of civil disobedience to achieve political ends has been eroded. In interviews with a dozen activists and academics across the country, they described a pro-Palestinian movement that is chastened, wary and worried about the future of political dissent. If they still demonstrate, most wear masks to conceal their identities, fearing they might jeopardize their degrees or hiring prospects. They described feeling anxious and somewhat powerless. Most did not want to be named. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. Already a subscriber? Log in. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
