University of Delaware students join growing dissent against war in Gaza across campuses
University of Delaware students have coordinated a walkout, die-in and more in the name of solidarity with Palestinian people in Gaza this week, as the Israel-Hamas War wages on.
This comes as a renewed wave of dissent against the war crests on campuses across the nation — largely following Columbia University's decision to crack down on pro-Palestinian protesters occupying a lawn on its campus. Students have been arrested across the country since Columbia tried to clear its encampment by force on April 18.
Protests nationally have caught university presidents, scholars and officials from both parties in the crosshairs, while Jewish students have simultaneously denounced growing antisemitism on their campuses. Many of these demonstrators are protesting the civilian toll in Gaza, as USA TODAY reported this week, where more than 34,000 people have died since the Israeli invasion that followed a Hamas-led attack, which killed almost 1,200 people in Israel.
Over in Newark, things have remained peaceful as of Friday early afternoon.
April 26 marked the third day of "occupying" the lawn outside the Biden School for Public Policy, according the university's chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine. The group organized readings, meals, open phone lines and more throughout each day. Many students did not want to be identified, or even wore masks, citing fear of retaliation from potential future employers.
"We're trying to use our leverage as UD students to make change," said senior Becca Winward, board member for SJP, on Friday morning. The Pike Creek resident also just hopes to see more awareness on her campus.
Earlier in the week, Wednesday afternoon had the heaviest turnout with some 300 students and faculty protesting the war in a march from the Trabant Student Center to the Biden school.
By Thursday, Delaware House of Representatives passed a resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza.
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UD's SJP students outlined demands that echo other campus groups across the U.S. — calling for an "immediate and permanent" ceasefire, as well as "financial divestment" by UD from companies and businesses operating in Israel. This joins demands for increased transparency around investments and protections for pro-Palestinian students on campus.
UD didn't comment on SJP outreach to the university, but a statement showed support for the group's right to gather.
"As a campus that welcomes diversity of opinion and embraces everyone’s right to freedom of expression, the University of Delaware is proud to support our students in our shared commitment to civility, respect and peace."
Nationally, many student organizers say they oppose U.S. military aid to Israel and want their institutions to stop investing money in companies with Israeli links. It isn't easy to define what an "investment" in Israel entails, economist Sandy Baum, a senior fellow at the Urban Institute who studies college finances, told USA TODAY.
While some across the country have been shocked by aggressive means of shutting down pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses — so too have worries of an "alarming surge of antisemitism" gripped the country in the wake of protests and the continued conflict overseas.
UD's student group said it hopes to hear action from the university by Friday, while the lawn occupation is set to finish just after 11 that evening.
Reporter Andre Lamar and USA TODAY reporting contributed to this report.
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This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: UD students join growing protests at US campuses against war in Gaza
