Northwestern reaches agreement, UChicago starts encampment protesting war in Gaza
CHICAGO — While a protest encampment has sprung up at the University of Chicago, Northwestern students are taking theirs down after coming to an agreement with the university.
Anti-war protestors at Northwestern and university leadership announced their agreement late Tuesday night which includes more transparency in its investments, meanwhile students and faculty at the University of Chicago say they’re staying put until they see the changes to their school.
“We believe that by doing this we are pushing our campus and the world at large towards a more just and peaceful world,” Theodore Johnson, the president for Students Disability Justice said.
Protests like the one at the University of Chicago have been popping up on college campuses across the country, demanding their universities divest from Israel, while calling for an end to the war in Gaza.
“The university is very deeply invested in weapons manufacturers giving weapons to Israel, like Boeing,” Students for Justice in Palestine member Anuj said. “We will stay here until the university divests every single dollar.”
Both the university’s president and dean of students released statements Tuesday evening highlighting the importance of free expression yet adding that disruption to the functioning and safety of the university would not be tolerated.
The dean specifically mentioned the campsite, saying it was done without prior approval and a violation of university policy will result in disciplinary action.
Northwestern reaches agreement with pro-Palestinian demonstrators to end tent encampment on campus
“We’ve seen protests like these work in the case of anti-apartheid activism in the 80s and the Civil Rights Movement in the 80s,” Johnsons said.
It has worked to some degree at Northwestern — last week, students and faculty set up their camps that led to protestors and the university negotiating an agreement and end to the encampment Monday night.
In return, the university is promising to open up engagement with the investment committee at the university and not only answer questions about investments but also reestablish an advisory committee on investment responsibility which will include Palestinian students, faculty and staff.
The university will continue to allow demonstrators on campus but without any amplified speakers or tents. The Jewish United Fund issued a statement Tuesday night saying an overwhelming majority of their students and faculty feel betrayed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
