Northwestern students set up camps on Evanston campus in pro-Palestinian protest

Neshmia Malik
·2 min read
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EVANSTON, Ill. — Students at Northwestern University are the latest to join the nationwide university protests against Israel’s bombardment of Gaza going into their second day of encampment on the Evanston campus.

Organizers say Northwestern’s administration has been trying to silence the students and faculty who have been speaking out against Israel’s war on Gaza. Their response is the “Free Gaza Liberation Zone.”

SkyCam9 was over the scene at Deering Meadow where Northwestern police were seen taking down camps set up by students. Students were seen forming a human chain as a struggle with police ensued.

Police were also seen taking tents away and putting them in trucks.

Student Liberation Union released a statement saying that students will participate in the encampments until Northwestern stops supporting Israeli apartheid, protects student liberties and safety, ends partnership that legitimize genocide and disclose and divest from war.

The release further states:

“The ongoing ethnic cleansing and genocide of the people of Gaza has made Palestinians victims of what is one of the most brutal war crimes in modern history. Because of this, Northwestern students, faculty, and staff are putting their bodies, education, and jobs on the line to stand with the Palestinian people.”

Students apart of Educators for Justice in Palestine, Jewish Voice for Peace and Student Liberation Union started a petition, The Northwestern People’s Resolution, that was passed by the university’s student government demanding the university stop its support of Israel.

A statement from Northwestern University stated that setting up tent encampments on the University’s Evanston campus is prohibited under university policy and that officials have informed the group of said policies.

The statement furthur stated:

“Students who refuse to remove their tents will be subject to arrest and their tents will be removed by the University. Community members who do not adhere to University policies will face discipline.“

A dozen tents are still standing with about 100 students and faculty participating in the protest. Supporters were seen dropping off food and blankets. Protestors say they will stay as long as it takes until the university divests from Israel.

The Northwestern protests come as pro-Palestinian protests are on the rise across many universities around the country:

  • George Washington University

  • Georgetown University

  • Columbia University

  • University of Texas at Austin

  • University of Southern California

  • The Ohio State University

  • Harvard University

  • California State Polytechnic University

  • Emerson College

  • New York University

  • Yale University

  • University of California, Berkely

This story is currently developing and WGN will update as more information is provided.

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