Tents back up as UNC students continue 3rd day of protests against war in Gaza

Sanika Bhargaw
·2 min read
1

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WNCN) — Tents went back up at UNC-Chapel Hill Sunday as students and others continued to gather for the third day of protests against the ongoing war in Gaza.

Students from across the Triangle have been occupying Polk Place since Friday. The university asked them Friday to take the tents down because they violated university policy. Protesters did, but now the encampment is back.

Organizers said UNC has told them it will take it down by force, but UNC has not confirmed or denied that to CBS17.

“We are here because [the war] needs to end and it needs to end today,” UNC graduate student Hashem said.

Students are calling on the university to end any involvement with Israel, a process known as divestment.

“So transparency, we want to know what UNC invested in and then we want to see UNC take steps to divest from Israeli companies,” Hashem said.

Hashem is half-Palestinian. He said he grew up in Jordan after his mother had to leave her home.

“So there is a personal aspect to this, but that’s not really primarily why I’m here. I’m here because this is an issue of justice,” he said.

Students from Duke and N.C. State also joined the UNC encampment in solidarity

“There are a lot of grad students very invested in this cause, but organizing on Duke property can be very difficult because it is a private institution,” Duke graduate student Abi said.

Abi is Jewish, and she said that is part of why she is passionate about the cause.

“It’s really, really important to me that a Jewish voice always be present in pro-Palestinian spaces, because I think it’s so important to say we stand with you,” Abi said.

Similar protests at college campuses across the country have sometimes ended with arrests. CBS17 asked UNC students whether this is a concern on their campus.

“Our personal needs, sometimes they need to stop to actually stand up for others. And that’s what we’re here for because we’re standing up for the oppressed,” Hashem said.

Organizers have said talks with the university about divesting from Israeli companies have not made much headway, but they plan to continue their protests.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.