More than 200 students and others gathered at the University of Texas at Dallas just before Jumaa, the Friday prayer, to continue efforts to urge school officials to divest from companies they say are contributing to the Gaza conflict. There is.
Ayman Taleb, who describes himself as a preacher, praised students' efforts to push for change despite threats of suspension and expulsion.
“We are inspired by you,” Taleb said. “You seem to be aware of the risks. You knew what your academic risks and personal risks were, and you still showed up. Brothers and sisters, that should be commended. That’s it.”
Students and others continue to demonstrate, demanding the school divest from companies providing weapons and other supplies to the war in Gaza. (Jason Janik)
On Wednesday, police arrested 21 people, including students and faculty, as law enforcement cleared an overnight encampment on campus. Nine of the 21 people arrested Wednesday were not affiliated with the university, UTD officials said in a statement late Friday.
Once tents and fences made of tires, tables and other materials were set up, police, state troopers and others arrived at the school and destroyed the encampment.
Those arrested are facing charges of trespassing. However, some cases were listed as “closed” late Friday, according to Collin County's online records. No other details were immediately available.
Speakers on Friday said university officials provided notice just minutes before law enforcement arrived. In between Friday's lectures and prayers, students and community members beat drums and chanted: takbil The crowd responded, “Allah Akbar!”
They call on school officials to issue a public statement calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, rejecting threats against free speech and condemning the “ongoing genocide against Palestinians.” They called for divestment.
Some of the speeches broadcast over loudspeakers were said to be by UTD students who were arrested this week. They told the crowd they would not be allowed to return to campus except for class-related activities.
Fatima Ahmed is a UTD student and an organizer for the university's campus chapter. Students for Justice in Palestine said they have been told that school authorities are allowing state troopers to arrest students and faculty rather than extracting funds from investments.
“UTD doesn't care about the students. They don't care about the people. They don't care about the professors,” Ahmed told the crowd. “All they care about is money. … This is our money that’s being put into these companies, and until our universities meet our demands, we’re not going to get out of here.” I will go.”
University officials said in a statement that Wednesday's protesters violated rules prohibiting “the construction of temporary structures or exhibits of any kind without the prior approval of the university.” Officials noted that as more people joined the protests, the encampment moved to the sidewalks.
That day, demonstrators were given a letter asking them to remove fences and structures.
“It was only after they refused, and with full knowledge of the consequences of that refusal, that the University of Texas at Dallas and local and state law enforcement entered the area,” officials said in a statement. “We will continue to support and protect the freedom of speech and assembly of everyone on campus as long as they follow campus policies.”
Friday's event was the only visible law enforcement presence, with only a few campus police officers on hand during the rally.
One counter-demonstrator carrying an Israeli flag was seen walking through the suburbs.
Other students at the university tried to move around the crowd, as was usual for them. With graduation approaching, several students posed for photos in the afternoon wearing bright orange sashes, the school's color.
Last week, UTD students staged a sit-in at the university's administration building, similar to other recent protests.
UTD said Friday's demonstration continued without incident and that demonstrators were “following university rules governing speech, expression, and gatherings.”
School officials said President Richard C. Benson met with some student organizers on April 26, who handed him a letter and left without further discussion. The president was also scheduled to meet with representatives of Jewish student organizations.
Protests have continued across the country since October 7, when Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking about 250 hostages, Israeli officials said. ing. In the months that followed, Israel bombed the Gaza Strip, and the Palestinian death toll from the war soared to more than 34,000, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. dallas morning news We cannot independently verify these numbers.
Hanan Hadian, a fourth-year student at UTD, headed to the protest right after finishing his final exam on Friday.
Far away from his family in Rafah, a city in the southern Gaza Strip, Hadian said it was important for him to support pro-Palestinian causes locally.
It helps her feel connected to them when she feels so helpless.
She recalls her family working as farmers growing olives, oranges, pears and other produce. Since Oct. 7, the 22-year-old has lost one of her uncles, three young cousins and countless other relatives and friends of hers, she said.
“We should not be silent because what is happening is actually genocide,” Hadian said.
(UTD is a supporter of Education Lab.)
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