Pro-Palestine protest at CNU stays peaceful
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — A pro-Palestine demonstration planned by students on the Great Lawn at Christopher Newport University was cut short Tuesday night, as about a dozen students circled the lawn until they were doused by the campus irrigation system and were then asked to leave because the event was not registered with the university.
The group then moved to the public sidewalk on Warwick Boulevard, where dozens more gathered and chanted for about two hours, showing solidarity for Gaza.
“We’re out here to show our dissent and our vehement disagreement and vehement disgust with the genocide going out right now against the Palestinian people,” said one protester who did not want to reveal his name.
On the other end of campus on the public sidewalk, there was a counter-protest supporting Israel.
“We’ve learned since 1938 that aggression and hatred unchecked turns into a national disaster,” said Rabbi Eric Carlson of Zion’s Sake. “We just can’t tolerate genocide or hatred or antisemitism in our community so we’re here to show the love and care of the living God of Israel.”
Meanwhile, police were positioned at every corner on and off campus. Newport News police chief Steve Drew told us he did not expect a repeat of the previous night’s events at Virginia Commonwealth University.
“We’re always watching about what’s going on in our country and different colleges in our state,” Drew said.
Tuesday’s protest proved to be peaceful and respectful.
“Peaceful conversations and that’s why we’re here,” Drew said.
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