A pro-Palestinian student at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, was arrested after making physical contact with a conservative speaker during a speech on the Israel-Hamas war. The incident occurred when Atlas Society CEO Jennifer Grossman was delivering a speech in support of Israel.
Savannah Grace O’Brien, the Mercer University student, was arrested on simple battery charges by campus police and later released on $650 bail. The student, draped in pro-Palestinian and transgender flags and wearing a mask, disrupted Grossman’s speech by criticizing her stance on the conflict and her previous work at Dole.
A video of the incident posted on social media showed the student approaching Grossman, criticizing Dole’s labor practices, and physically touching the speaker. Campus police intervened and escorted the student out of the auditorium.
The Atlas Society expressed disappointment in the incident, stating, “America used to be better than this.” Mercer University is reviewing the incident and stated that disrupting a speaker and invading their personal space is not acceptable.
The speech was hosted by the university’s chapter of Turning Point U.S.A., a conservative group. Pro-Palestinian protests and disruptions have been on the rise at colleges and universities across the U.S. since the Israel-Hamas conflict began.
The incident at Mercer University highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding the Israel-Hamas war and the challenges of free speech on college campuses.
