Northwestern University reaches agreement with protestors, Pritzker addresses protests

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (NEXSTAR) — Northwestern became the first major university to come to an agreement with pro-Palestinian protestors.

The deal was reached after a over a week of protests on the campus.

Protestors agreed to tear down their encampments, and in exchange, the University agreed to restart the Advisory Committee on Investment Responsibility, which will give students and faculty a say in investments by the University. The committee will officially start in the Fall.

The University also agreed to bring two Palestinian faculty to the University for a visit, and will provide scholarships to five Palestinian students.

Hundreds of UIUC students participate in pro-Palestine rally

As a part of the deal, only university students will be able to continue protesting through the rest of the Spring semester.

The deal drew criticism from prominent groups, including the Anti Defamation League, which joined Jewish student organizations to call for the resignation of Northwestern President Michael Schill.

“(The protestor’s) goal was not to find peace, but to make Jewish students feel unsafe on campus. Rather than hold them accountable – as he pledged he would – President Schill gave them a seat at the table and normalized their hatred against Jewish students,” The ADL said in a statement. “It is clear from President Schill’s actions that he is unfit to lead Northwestern and must resign.”

Governor J.B. Pritzker was asked if he agreed with calls for Schill’s resignation on Wednesday. He said while he supports these groups, he does not agree with them on this push.

Pro-Palestine protests: What are college students demanding?

“I support the Jewish organizations. I’m not about calling for people to step down,” Pritzker said. “What I support is the fact that we need to protect not just Jewish students but all students on campuses where there are protests.”

Governor Pritzker stuck to his stance that the Freedom of Speech should be protected, and that he wants to make sure order and safety is maintained.

But he pushed back on the idea these protests are just about divestment.

“I don’t think that’s the reason that you’re seeing the protests,” Pritzker said. “I think you’ve seen people protest for a variety of reasons. So let me be clear, there are anti-war protesters out there. There are people who are anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian, which is different than just being anti-war. And there are some bad actors too. There are people who are you know yelling anti-Semitic epithets and and are, you know, and have forever been bigoted, and we want to make sure that, that we’re keeping everybody safe.”

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