Northwestern reaches agreement with pro-Palestinian demonstrators to end tent encampment on campus
EVANSTON, Ill. — Officials from Northwestern University reached an agreement with pro-Palestinian demonstrators on Monday afternoon following a days-long protest and tent encampment at the university’s Evanston campus.
The agreement requires the removal of all tents and unapproved loudspeakers from the Deering Meadow and states that all demonstrators must comply with university policies. In exchange, the university will allow peaceful demonstrations to continue on the meadow through June 1, which marks the end of spring quarter classes.
University officials had previously said that the encampment violated school policy and had sought means to allow students to continue their demonstrations without loudspeakers and tents.
The announcement came in an email sent out to students and staff on Monday afternoon.
People supporting Israel counter-protest pro-Palestinian encampment at Northwestern University
“We have reached an agreement with a group of students and faculty who represent the majority of the protestors on Deering Meadow to bring the demonstration into compliance with University rules and policies. 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,” University President Michael Schill, Provost Kathleen Hagerty and Vice President for Student Affairs Susan Davis said in the news release.
The agreement follows days of protests by students, staff and community members who demanded that the university divest from companies that support Israel as the country’s war against Hamas, which has devastated the country, reaches into its seventh month.
In response to the demands, the university said it will re-establish its Advisory Committee on Investment Responsibility (ACIR) in the fall, which will include representation from students, faculty, and staff.
For more coverage of the Israel and Hamas Conflict, click here
As part of the agreement, officials said the university will support visiting Palestinian faculty and students at risk by “funding two faculty per year for two years; and providing full cost of attendance for five Palestinian undergraduates to attend Northwestern for the duration of their undergraduate careers.”
The agreement also includes the creation of a temporary space for Middle Eastern, North African (MENA) and Muslim students. To accomplish this, the university said it will provide and renovate a house for a safe space, following the completion of the Jacobs renovation.
“This agreement also addresses our commitment to protect the safety of our entire community and to ensure the ongoing academic operations of our campus while adhering to our support for free expression. The agreement includes support for our Muslim, Arab and Palestinian students. Some of the actions have been discussed for years and some are new. Together, they will strengthen our community,” university officials said.
Included in Monday’s announcement was an agreement that only students and staff would be allowed to protest on campus, and university officials said participants may be asked to show their student IDs.
Northwestern students set up camps on Evanston campus in pro-Palestinian protest
According to officials, any students, faculty or staff who violate the new rules and policies will be subject to disciplinary action.
On Sunday, tensions rose on campus after pro-Palestinian protestors met a line of counter-protesters who were showing their support for Israel.
While Sunday’s demonstrations remained peaceful, protestors on both sides held flags and chanted.
On Monday, officials addressed allegations of anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim/Palestinian incidents that reportedly occurred on campus over the weekend and said that they were mostly fueled by demonstrators “who are not affiliated with the university.”
“Acts of antisemitism, anti-Muslim/Arab racism, and hate will not be tolerated, and community members who can be identified participating in such acts will face disciplinary action,” university officials said.
The demonstrations at Northwestern are just the latest in a string of campus protests that have continued across the country in recent weeks.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
