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Riots Mark Reopening of Warsaw Schools

January 12, 1937
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Renewed anti-Jewish rioting marked the reopening today of the Warsaw University and other schools following long shutdowns resulting from efforts of Nationalists to enforce segregation of Jewish students in “ghetto” benches. Many Jewish students were wounded.

Nationalist students posted placards demanding Jews occupy seats at the left side of lecture halls. Jewish students found Nationalists barring the entrances to the main building of the university.

WILNO STUDENTS VOTE AGAINST SEGREGATION

A plebiscite at the medical school of Wilno University on the question of instituting “ghetto” benches resulted in a victory for the Jews when students in the higher classes voted against segregation.

Meanwhile, similar plebiscites were scheduled to be held by the liberal arts and medical schools of the Warsaw University, on order of the university’s senate.

Jewish students protested against holding of the plebiscite on the ground it was tantamount to ordering institution of “ghetto” benches since there were only 500 Jewish students against 4,000 Christian students.

The rector dismissed the protest with the explanation that the plebiscite was not binding upon the university authorities, but was intended merely as an “orientation of votes.”

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