More than 150 students participated in a walkout Wednesday afternoon to demand Northwestern divest from organizations supporting Israel and protect members of the NU community advocating for Palestinian rights.
Protesters at the rally held up signs reading “end Israeli apartheid now.” They chanted “Palestine will never die” and “Northwestern, you can’t hide — you’re paying for genocide.”
The walkout — organized by NU’s chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine — was one of dozens that took place Wednesday on college campuses across North America. The demonstrations called for an end to U.S. military support for Israel and an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, which has killed more than 7,000 people since the militant group Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel more than two weeks ago, according to Israeli and Palestinian authorities.
Israeli air raids Tuesday night killed more than 700 Palestinians, marking the highest 24-hour death toll since Israel declared war on Hamas Oct. 7, according to Gaza’s health ministry, which is controlled by Hamas.
“We are demanding that Northwestern divest from these companies that are actively murdering an entire population,” a student organizer who did not identify themself by name said to the crowd.
The former chief executive officers of several arms-producing companies providing weapons to Israel, including Boeing and General Dynamics, sit on NU’s Board of Trustees.
Several faculty members also attended the walkout to show their support.
Asian American studies and Black studies Prof. Nitasha Tamar Sharma, the director of the Asian American Studies Program, said the walkout was a “source of comfort” for her.
“I particularly appreciate them calling Schill out,” she said. “(AASP) and many students have written responses to his non-response.”
NU President Michael Schill said in an Oct. 12 message to the community the University would not issue a statement on…
Read the full article here