'All Out for Rafah' protest calls for ceasefire, divestment outside of Iowa commencement

University of Iowa students and community members marched from Hubbard Park to Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Sunday to protest the Israel-Hamas war and call for the university to divest from organizations that have profited from it.

The protest, "All Out for Rafah," was organized by multiple University of Iowa and eastern Iowa activist groups, including Iowans for Palestine, Iowa City Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), Party for Socialism & Liberation Iowa (PSL), and Jewish Voices for Peace Eastern Iowa (JVP). They stopped outside of the College of Engineering commencement to protest the college's connection to companies they hope the university will cut ties with.

PSL announced the plans for the protest on Wednesday, a day after Israeli troops seized control of Gaza's vital Rafah border crossing. The main organizer, PSL urges University of Iowa to divest from weapons manufacturers that arm Israel.

Last week: Peaceful demonstrations mark third day of University of Iowa protests of Israel-Hamas war

"Our demands are fairly simple: the University of Iowa and all universities in the U.S. need to completely divest from war profiteers like Collins Aerospace, Lockheed Martin, and Boeing," said organizer Robert Joseph. "These institutions have the blood of not just Palestinians but millions of other people around the world on their hands and no place in educational institutions. ... It would be a good first step if our schools stopped helping them make money."

PSL organizer Aya Salem added the group wanted to show its "dissent to the repression in Gaza." Salem called on the university president and Iowa's Congressional delegation to listen to their concerns and understand they "do not represent us" in their support of Israel.

"All are complicit and collaborators in genocide," Salem said. "We the people stand in solidarity with the global movements calling for a ceasefire and for an end to genocide and for a liberated Palestine now.”

Here's a look at what happened:

Group heads back to Hubbard Park

After about 30 minutes outside of the arena, the group started the mile walk back to Hubbard Park. There was no chanting and they were using sidewalks.

The protesters disbanded after arriving.

Protesters stop outside of commencement to chant

The protesters gathered on the south entrance of Carver-Hawkeye Arena to chant loudly enough for graduates and their families inside to hear: "No graduation as usual during a genocide. It's time for the university to listen to our demands."

Protesters appeared to be targeting the College of Engineering commencement due to the Operator Performance Laboratory flight test laboratory and its connection with Collins Aerospace and Lockheed Martin, companies they hope the university divests from and cuts ties with. They're chanting: "Hey, Lockheed what do you say? How many kids have you killed today?"

Police from the University of Iowa and state troopers were present.

Graduates look on to protest, given list of demands

Graduates and their families inside the arena were looking on to the march and protesters, who handed those outside a list of their demands. They included:

• The university, Carver College of Medicine and UIHC call for a ceasefire to allow safe passage of people, humanitarian aid and rescue.

• Disclose of all "intellectual and financial support" for any corporation or entity helping to fund the war.

• Divest from weapons manufacturers that arm Israel and cut ties with Bar-Ilan University in Israel.

• Protect protesters from police interference and students facing discrimination for their support.

One passerby coming from graduation called the protesters "morons" and one woman stood in the middle not moving as protesters walked through.

Another car on the way to graduation flew a Palestinian flag out the window.

Police presence ramps up as group nears Carver arena

More police were starting to monitor the marchers as they approached Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Police in riot gear at protests across the United States have intervened and even arrested protesters. So far things have been peaceful in Iowa City.

Protesters were chanting things like "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free." "Divest. Divest. We will not stop we will not rest." And "Barbara Wilson you can't hide, you're supporting genocide," referring to the University of Iowa president.

Group marches toward med school

The group started marching, led with a large sign that says "Stop Attack on Gaza." They headed down Iowa Avenue and onto Newton Road toward the medical school, where they planned to ask Carver College of Medicine to call for a ceasefire.

Three cars, marked with the Palestinian flag and paint that says "Free Palestine," led the march.

Three police vehicles stopped to help block traffic so the marchers could walk on the street.

Protesters chant 'Stand up, fight back'

Protesters started gathering at about noon on Sunday, Mother's Day. About 70 gathered in the park holding signs like "Stop Israel's war crimes" and "Not my tax dollars."

They also were chanting: "When Palestine is under attack what do we do? Stand up fight back!"

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Protest of Israel-Hamas war calls for ceasefire outside graduation