What do you think would have happened if students in the US had protested for the release of the hostages and no more violence?

Could these current protests for the river to the sea let Palestinians be free backfire? Some people in the protests are even holding up signs that are pro Hamas, pro Hezbollah, even some pro Iran signs. I do believe most student protestors just want the current war in Gaza to stop and the deaths and suffering to stop. Another portion do think Israel should not exist.

Might the protests embolden Hamas to martyr more of their civilians because they see how using innocent Palestinians garners them global support. Some protestors even cheer on terrorism.

If the students had demanded the release of Israeli hostages then would we have had a ceasefire?

It would not even have to be a pro-Israel protest, just a return of the hostages and a cease fire protest. Ask for diplomacy protest. Ask for peace, ask for a treaty.