Inside the Purdue 'Liberation Zone'

A scene of tents, flags, tables with snacks, waters and signs with messages like “Purdue Divest From Genocide, Palestine Will Be Free, Exist Resist Return," and “34,000 innocent Palestinians killed. End Genocide” occupied the South Memorial Lawn on Thursday afternoon. As of Friday, about 75 students have congregated for a sit-in Pro-Palestinian protest. This is the second day of the gathering.

Students set up tents and sat on the ground on picnic blankets, chatting and working on homework.

“We’re having a demonstration of following in suit of our comrades in Columbia, Yale, NYU, USC and other universities,” said Raisa Deotale, a junior and the chair of the Purdue chapter of the Young Democratic Socialists of America. “Students across the country are standing in solidarity with Palestinians.”

The gathering, which organizers are calling the “Purdue Liberation Zone,” involves three organizations: Students for Justice in Palestine, YDSA and the Jewish Voice for Peace chapter at Purdue.

“I'm supportive of the students creating a liberated zone. A liberated zone is symbolic of us standing and insisting on our freedom. There are very few spaces that are becoming available in towns where people can speak freely” said Steven David, a West Lafayette local. “From my perspective, the zone is about the growing tendency of institutions and powerful forces that are aligned with Zionism in a way that is restricting free speech in this country.”

Similar to other “pressure campaigns” in colleges across the United States, these students are calling for the boycott of partnerships with organizations that are allegedly actively supporting the conflict.

Bill Mullen, a professor of English and American studies, said the university is creating a postdoctoral fellowship at one of these organizations: Technion, a university that researches and manufactures weapons.

“We should not allow (Purdue) to have any ties with this ongoing genocide,” he said.

Participants in the “Liberation Zone” said it will stay on South Memorial Lawn for the next several days.

“We all have the same goal of liberation. We’re dedicated and here for a cause,” said Johnny Hazboun, president of SJP. “It shows students from across the country are pressed about this, and hopefully it will draw voters. This issue can be resolved in a day by governments.”

As cars passed down Mitch Daniels Boulevard, many honked at the Liberation Zone in support. Jonathan Cook, a freshman, was on the side of the road holding a sign that read “Free Palestine.”

“It really stirred me up because being an American and having my taxes being paid to help the creation and purchase of these bombs and weapons, it made me think I should do something,” Cooke said, “The main thing is not being anti-semitic, we don’t have anything against Jewish students. I’m mad at the Israeli leadership.”

The gathering is similar to other campuses across America, however the threat of intimidation from armed forces or administration is low compared to other universities. Purdue officials told students they would not be allowed to camp on university grounds overnight and would face disciplinary action.

“We will call on the Purdue administration to immediately suspend its intimidation and threats against peacemaking students,” said Tithi Bhattacharya, an associate professor of South Asian history, and a fervent activist of Palestinian rights.

“It’s not okay for students to get arrested or suspended for saying no to a vicious genocide,” she said. “And you should know, from this day forward, that if the administration calls in violent armed groups to break up a non-violent protest for peace, they will have to go through us. So, stay strong.”

Flyers posted around campus reading, “Cramming for finals? Believe in a free Palestine? Come study with us at the Purdue Liberation Zone,” were seen across campus.

“I was a very proud Boilermaker last year, and I will say ever since the start of the year knowing that I’m at an institution that is actively sponsoring, working with or funding the genocide of my people is not a nice feeling,” Hazboun, who is Palestinian, said.

As of Friday afternoon, the gathering is peaceful and relatively quiet as students prepare for finals in the sun.

“So, it raises questions that we hope will provoke thinking amongst people that have been supporting Zionism that yes, there is something wrong, and that we hope will allow them to come and say, ‘Let's talk about it and find out.’” David said. “Because all we seek for, in the larger sense, is to find a common humanity that is respectful of everybody.”