Northwestern University's agreement to curb protest activity in return for the reestablishment of an advisory committee on university investments has sparked controversy, with some condemning it as a failure to address the protesters' original demands, while supporters of Israel claim it represents a "cowardly" capitulation.
As anti-Israel protests continue to plague college campuses across the country, Northwestern University has reached a deal with the protesters, sparking concern from many about the conditions.
On Monday, the Chicago school announced an agreement to curb protest activity in return for the reestablishment of an advisory committee on university investments and other commitments.
Some who are protesting the war in Gaza condemned the Northwestern agreement as a failure to stick to the original demands of student organizers, the Associated Press reported. Some supporters of Israel claimed the deal represented "cowardly" capitulation to protesters.
One of Northwestern's radical professors has ties to a history of terror. Zayd Ayers Dohrn, is the son of a former radical terrorist group leader, Bernardine Rae Dohrn and Bill Ayers. The group they led for years perpetrated terrorist bombings in Washington, D.C., and elsewhere around the country.
According to Northwestern's staff directory, Zayd Ayers Dohrn is a writer, professor, and director of the MFA in Writing for Screen and Stage in the Department of Radio/Television/Film at Northwestern University.
He is also creator and host of the original documentary podcast, "Mother Country Radicals," where he details being raised by parents who were leading one of the most notorious domestic radical terrorist groups in the U.S. His mother, Bernardine Dohrn, is the former leader of the far-left militant organization, Weather Underground.
The Weather Underground group wreaked havoc in the 1960s and 70s, bombing 20 targets, including the Pentagon, the U.S. Capitol and the State Department, all to protest the Vietnam War and support other left-wing causes.
In 1970, the group planted a pipe bomb at the San Francisco Police Department, and one person was killed. The NYPD was also targeted that same year with dynamite, which caused injury to seven people.
Zayd's father, Bill Ayers, was also a member of the group and was an associate of former President Barack Obama. However, Ayers' ties to President Obama have been in dispute since becoming a campaign issue during the 2008 presidential race, though it is known he served with Obama on a Chicago charity's board.
Northwestern's deal allows protests to continue through June 1, but prohibits all tents except one for aid supplies. The agreement also prevents people without ties to Northwestern from participating and requires school permission to use loudspeakers or similar devices, according to the AP.
Northwestern said the terms include penalties for students who fail to comply, including suspension.
"This agreement represents a sustainable and de-escalated path forward, and enhances the safety of all members of the Northwestern community while providing space for free expression that complies with University rules and policies," said a statement from President Michael Schill, Provost Kathleen Hagerty and Vice President for Student Affairs Susan Davis.
Brown University has also implemented a similar deal.
Fox News Digital reached out to Northwestern University and Dohrn Ayers for comment.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
