Syracuse, NY – Dozens of Syracuse University students set up a tent encampment on the school’s quad on the last day of classes Monday, joining other pro-Palestinian protests nationally.
Around 11 am, students, faculty and alumni began setting up the encampment directly in front of Hendrick’s Chapel, according to an Instagram post by organizing groups including the newly formed Students for Justice in Palestine.
Around 50 protesters were at the tent encampment. As of 2 pm, there were no counter-protesters.
Students were peacefully making crafts, talking to interested students and handing out a list of demands.
The protesters’ demands include the following:
- SU must disclose all funding to Israel and its subsidiaries.
- SU must divest from all companies that support or fund the “genocide in Gaza”.
- SU must stop all collaboration with Israeli institutions and security forces.
- SU must end all study abroad programs in Israel.
- SU must ban student organizations that fund raise to support “genocide and war crimes”.
- SU must not suspend, expel or retaliate against protesters.
- SU must allow the official formation of the Students for Justice in Palestine.
Organizers refused to speak to reporters outside of providing their list of demands.
The event was organized by Syracuse Democratic Socialists of America, Black at Syracuse University, Palestinian Solidarity Collective and Students for Justice in Palestine
The Syracuse chapter of Jewish Voices for Peace also put out a solidarity statement supporting the student’s actions.
“The students are organizing to end university complicity and investments in the ongoing genocide in Gaza and across occupied Palestine,” the Jewish Voices for Peace statement said.
Syracuse University spokesperson Keith Kobland refused to comment on the protest Monday afternoon.
Staff writer Anne Hayes covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her di lei at [email protected].
