Obama’s friend speaks at anti-Israel event in Chicago.

The University of Chicago became a hub of anti-Israel activism as an encampment formed on the Main Quadrangle, attracting attention when Bill Ayers, a retired professor with a controversial history, made an appearance. Ayers, known for his involvement in the far-left militant group Weather Underground, visited the encampment roughly seven hours after it began, as reported by the Chicago Maroon and the Hyde Park Herald.

Ayers, who is listed as a creative writing lecturer at the University of Chicago, gained notoriety for his role in the militant organization Weather Underground, which aimed to overthrow the U.S. government through acts of domestic terrorism in the 1960s and ’70s. The FBI had pursued Ayers for his alleged involvement in several bombings, including those targeting the New York City Police Department headquarters, the United States Capitol building, and the Pentagon. These bombings resulted in the accidental deaths of three group members, but charges against Ayers were dropped due to claims of FBI misconduct in his pursuit. Despite scrutiny, Ayers has maintained a defense of his actions.

Moreover, Ayers’ connection to former President Barack Obama stirred controversy during Obama’s 2008 campaign, with reports suggesting that Obama had visited Ayers’ home in 1995 and served alongside him on the board of the Woods Fund of Chicago. Obama and various media outlets refuted claims of a close relationship, although the association raised eyebrows and became a focal point for critics.

The encampment at the University of Chicago was just one instance of a broader wave of anti-Israel protests sweeping across American campuses in recent days. Columbia, Harvard, and Yale have all grappled with similar demonstrations, prompting schools to take measures to curb the protests. At Columbia, administrators resorted to suspending students who refused to vacate the encampments, triggering a riot within an academic building frequented by university officials.

As tensions escalate in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, anti-Israel sentiment has surged, leading to impassioned protests and clashes with authorities. The demonstrations reflect a deep-seated divide on college campuses regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, raising questions about free speech, activism, and campus security.