In a scene that could easily double as the introduction to a dystopian movie, we have yet another example of justice taking a surreal turn in New York City. Eight CUNY City College students, who seemed to believe that causing chaos qualifies as activism, have caught the attention of the city once again. They found themselves back on the radar not for their acts, but for having their charges mostly dismissed by New York City D.A. Alvin Bragg. The charges, relating to a protest that morphed into something that looked more like a demolition derby than a peaceful assembly, were brushed aside like crumbs on a shirt. Meanwhile, those calling for their rally are practically beaming with delight, treating this as a triumphant moment.

So, let’s paint the picture. During the anti-Israeli protest in 2024, these students took it upon themselves to redefine “peaceful protest” in a way that ended with more than just ruffled feathers. Two campus safety officers were reportedly attacked, with one officer sustaining injuries severe enough to still be out on leave a year later. What’s more telling, however, is how the campus’s leadership reacted. Despite high-level officials pushing for accountability, there were claims of being stonewalled by a system that seemed more interested in promoting chaos under the guise of freedom of expression. Sounds like the plot twist of a thriller, doesn’t it?

Switching scenes to the courtroom drama, one would expect clarity and justice. Yet, here we face the real twist: more than 100 arrests made that day have been whittled down to significantly fewer prosecutions, thanks to Bragg’s decision to drop most charges. It’s almost as if he’s applying some warped version of catch and release. This maneuver is especially puzzling given his past judicial choices, like going after Daniel Penny for standing up, perhaps too literally, on the subway. Talk about being particular about when to embrace the rule of law!

The city’s leadership, particularly Mayor Eric Adams, offers up platitudes about how New York won’t tolerate violence. But words are merely echoes without action. One might say it feels like watching someone build a sandcastle at high tide. As the city attempts to impose order, the response is akin to an insufficiently budgeted comedy trying to nail a dramatic scene. It’s theatrical, but where is the action that matters?

With overtones of anti-Western, anti-American ideologies, this saga of protests presents itself as more than just a local grievance. It’s a broader message about the ideological morass some groups are trying to navigate us into. Chants against the police, ICE, and capitalism reveal an agenda that seems bent on unraveling societal structures under the battle cry of fighting for the oppressed. Meanwhile, key figures like Chuck Schumer appear conspicuously silent, almost as if the cat got their tongue. With each day, the thin line between protest and anarchy fades a bit more. Maybe it’s time to re-evaluate what passes as ‘activism’ in this sequel to reality.