Pro- Palestinian campus groups are determined not to let last semester’s escalation and ugly ending deter them from demonstrating in support of their cause in the fall. Seven chapters from universities across the nation shared their plans for the coming semester with the Washington Examiner.
At the end of the 2024 spring semester, encampments and building occupations became commonplace on many college campuses. Violence broke out in numerous cases, and allegations of antisemitism associated with such demonstrations prompted over 100 civil rights investigations into universities and school districts following the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack on Israel.
“The administration will have no peace until they divest all holdings from weapons manufacturers and the Zionist entity,” the University of Chicago’s Students for Justice in Palestine chapter told the Washington Examiner. “The university’s repression of pro-Palestine students only breeds resistance.”
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago’s SJP detailed its plans to protest the Democratic National Convention in addition to its “work on campus” which will continue during the fall semester. The group said it planned on “protesting against the coronation of Killer Kamala,” and that “no one from the Biden-Harris regime or any of their supporters will be welcome here in Chicago while they commit genocide in Gaza.”
Thirteen anti-Israel protesters were arrested when violence broke out at the DNC demonstrations on Monday. The Washington Examiner followed up with the University of Chicago’s SJP chapter for insight on the escalation and the safety of its members.
Colorado State University
Colorado State University’s SJP chapter explained that it had been “quieter over the summer” despite holding several events, which received less media coverage because many of its members went home. However, organizers said, “We are excited to return to work this coming semester with renewed energy.”
The group said it does not have plans to set up an encampment, however, “Expect us to engage in further action this semester.” The SJP chapter said it will “continue to engage in actions until Palestine is free and the genocide ends,” and warned that “crackdowns on protests have never worked and have instead just lead to more violence.”
“Our Jewish members are further planning a Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur event to demonstrate the importance of this issue and how Jewish individuals are just as concerned about this genocide as others,” the chapter added.
Kent State University
Kent State University’s SJP chapter said it is “primarily focused on our divestment campaign and educating the campus community this year.” During the Fall semester, the group “plan[s] to host a variety of events and meetings aimed at educating students and the broader community.”
“While the risks associated with campus activism have made us more cautious, they have also highlighted the determination and bravery of students standing up for justice,” the group said. “These challenges have unified students and strengthened the movement against genocide, apartheid, and occupation, inspiring us to continue our advocacy for Palestinian justice. We look forward to another year of raising awareness of the Palestinian cause.”
California State University, Fullerton
California State University, Fullerton’s SJP chapter said while its actions are still being planned, the group is considering “a variety of demonstrations, including marches, hosting speakers, and potentially other forms of peaceful protest. We are working to ensure that our activities comply with university policies and local laws while still making our voices heard.”
“We are committed to continuing our advocacy and raising awareness about the Palestinian cause,” the group said.
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin Palestine Solidarity Committee asserted it “will be moving forward with a divestment campaign this fall” despite facing a complicated road ahead, as the university suspended the group as an organization. “This summer has seen a disciplinary process wrongfully brought by the university against students who were advocating for life.”
The group explained it has been working with students who were disciplined for their part in last semester’s demonstrations over the last several months. “Regardless of our status, however, we affirm that the student movement for Palestine is not confined to a single organization. ... The fight for justice does not cease after our suspension, and we will continue to use our voices and uplift each other until our university heeds the demands of its students.”
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore College’s SJP chapter said it is “aware that there are plans across campuses to continue direct actions into this coming semester including our own campus,” and that “it is imperative to continue our momentum and for academic institutions across the nation to enshrine students' rights to protest.”
The group said over 25 Swarthmore students are facing disciplinary charges for their part in the protest and that 14 students received “major charges” for conduct including “assault, hate crimes, and harassment, among other allegations” despite allegedly being assured by acting co-presidents Rob Goldberg and Tokomo Sakomura that only “a handful” of students would receive such charges.
“The college's response to this particular protest has been unprecedented,” the group said. As the only chapter belonging to a school under Title VI investigation for allegations of antisemitism, Swarthmore’s SJP faces a uniquely scrutinous situation.
University of Houston
University of Houston’s SJP chapter said that “despite last March’s executive order by Greg Abbott calling on Texas public universities to crack down on SJPS/PSCS, Texas campuses will continue to be a home for Palestinian activism for both students and our local communities alike.”
The group affirmed that because “our universities remain complicit in the ongoing genocide in Gaza, despite the escalation at the end of last semester, we will continue to mobilize and organize until our campuses are fully divested from arms manufacturers and other companies that invest in genocide, apartheid and colonialism."
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“Going forward, the student movement will keep organizing the student body and politicizing our campuses to stand against being made complicit in genocide by our institutions,” the group said. “This upcoming semester we want it to be known that despite the fact that the University of Houston is one of the most diverse campuses in the US," their school "has refused to even entertain the idea" of divesting from companies involved in the Gaza war.
“The University of Houston believes it can have an apolitical campus despite having invested over 10 million dollars in Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, and General Dynamics since 2016,” the group said. “However, the student body here and everywhere will continue to fight tooth and nail until there is total divestment from arms manufacturers on every campus.”
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