Syracuse, NY — Pro-Palestinian protesters at Syracuse University said Wednesday they are going to take down their tent encampment.
Protesters said in a statement that participating in the encampment was “a unique learning experience for all of us.” They said they continue organizing in the fall.
The encampment was established two and a half weeks ago in a grassy area on the Shaw Quad in front of Hendricks Chapel. Protesters demanded, among other things, the university cut any ties with Israeli academic institutions.
Encampments sprung up at SU and other colleges and universities across the nation toward the end of the spring semester to support the roughly 2 million people who live in Gaza, a small strip of land along the Mediterranean Sea.
The Syracuse encampment was largely peaceful, appearing to draw about 50 protesters. Police had arrested two people not associated with the university for trespassing.
SU officials had told protesters to move the tent encampment to make room for last week’s commencement ceremonies, but protesters refused. The university constructed a large green fence across the quad to separate the protesters from graduates and their families. Syracuse University held its commencement ceremonies Sunday.
Protesters said they met Monday morning with university officials to discuss their demands. The discussion focused on two demands, they said: SU publicly calling for a ceasefire, and creating a group to review any SU investments or cooperative programs in Israel.
Protesters promised to remove the encampment if the university met these demands by 2 pm Tuesday. SU sent an email at 1:59 pm asking for additional time, they said.
On Wednesday, the protesters announced their plans to take down the encampment.
An SU spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
More than 34,000 people have died in Gaza during Israel’s attempt to dislodge the leadership of Hamas, the extremist group governing the territory.
Fighters from Hamas and other groups launched a surprise attack last October on southern Israel, killing an estimated 1,200 people and taking roughly 200 hostages of varying nationalities.
Staff writer Jon Moss covers breaking news, crime and public safety. He can be reached at [email protected] or @mossjon7.
