Voices of Solidarity: Pro-Palestine Protest Shakes University of Minnesota

On a vibrant Tuesday afternoon, a gathering of around 50 passionate individuals took to the streets in a pro-Palestine protest, expressing solidarity with the recent occupation of Morrill Hall at the University of Minnesota. This event, organized by Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), unfolded as a direct response to the previous day's actions by the Students for Democratic Society (SDS), where 11 demonstrators were arrested.

From Coffman Union to Morrill Hall

The protest kicked off at approximately 4:30 p.m. in front of Coffman Union, where attendees rallied before marching towards Morrill Hall. This location was selected due to its symbolic significance, as it was the site of the SDS protest the night before, which led to the arrests of students advocating for their beliefs.

Solidarity for Arrested Protesters

Ali Abu, a media consultant for SJP, emphasized the importance of returning to Morrill Hall to show support for those arrested, eight of whom were students at the university. "We wanted to stand in solidarity with our fellow students and send a message that we will not be silenced," Abu stated.

Campus Security Measures

As the protest unfolded, a SAFE-U alert was issued at 5:06 p.m., indicating that several campus buildings would remain locked until further notice due to the ongoing protest activities. This raised questions about the university's response to student activism.

Chalking Warnings and Protest Policies

Abu pointed out that the protest was also a reaction to what he described as the "infamous" protest policy at the university. "The administration's stance of neutrality regarding divestment is frustrating," he said. "They even issued a warning for chalking at Coffman, which is absurd. Chalking is a form of expression!"

Chants of Resistance

Throughout the protest, attendees held photographs of individuals and children lost in the conflict in Palestine, chanting powerful slogans such as:

• "Free, free Palestine!"
• "How many kids did you kill today?"
• "Israel bombs, U of M pays."

The Path Forward

Abu reassured attendees that the movement would persist in its quest for divestment from companies involved in the conflict. "The students are ready to escalate if necessary. We are determined to achieve our goals," he declared.

The protest concluded around 6 p.m., and a subsequent SAFE-U alert at 6:20 p.m. announced that all university buildings had reopened, except for Morrill Hall and Coffman Union, leaving a lingering sense of tension on campus.

What do you think?

• Do you believe universities should remain neutral on political issues like divestment?
• Is it effective for students to occupy buildings as a form of protest?
• How should universities handle protests that lead to arrests?
• What are the implications of protest policies on student activism?
• Do you think chalking should be protected as a form of free expression?