Students at the University of Texas at Dallas began camping on campus early Wednesday morning, the latest in a series of pro-Palestinian demonstrations at universities across the country.
Students at the University of Texas at Dallas have previously hosted several protests and rallies without incidents or arrests. Wednesday's encampment follows similar demonstrations at the University of Texas at Austin and several other high-profile schools, including Columbia University and the University of Southern California, which together led to hundreds of arrests. It is something.
In Austin, 79 protesters were arrested Monday during a demonstration after dozens of people set up a temporary encampment on campus' South Mall. With chants of “Liberate Palestine,” protesters set up tents and erected a barrier around the site using folding tables, some chained together, forming a surprise encampment. did. Police broke up the camp and removed tents and tables.
What is an encampment?
Encampment protests occur when demonstrators build temporary communities and occupy areas on campus as a form of political resistance. Communities typically consist of tents and other shelters where students gather, organize protests, and sleep.
Students at the University of Texas at Dallas set up barricades and tents on campus in Chess Square, known as Gaza Liberation Square, according to a news release from the Palestine Justice student group.
Details: “Encampments are not allowed:”Abbott says UT's pro-Palestinian protesters will be arrested
Why are college students protesting on the campus of the University of Texas at Dallas?
Amid the Israeli-Hamas war, which has reportedly killed more than 30,000 people in the Gaza Strip, the University of Texas at Dallas' Students for Palestine Justice chapter has been calling on the university to divest from its corporate partners across the country. They organized a protest in solidarity with students. It seeks support for Israel, including from Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, and calls on the federal government to stop funding Israeli military operations.
What are pro-Palestinian protests?This is why American college students are protesting
Protest encampments have broken out on at least 20 campuses in the US
Hundreds of protesters have been arrested across the United States since protesters camped out at Columbia University in New York City on April 18th.
Since then, protests, rallies and encampments have surged at institutions of higher education across the United States. Protesters have faced arrest at more than 20 campuses in 16 states, while protests at several other schools have resulted in no arrests.
Before Wednesday, the University of Texas was the only campus in Texas and its immediate neighboring state with a camp set up. However, pro-Palestinian rallies have also been held at other universities in the state, including Texas A&M, UT Dallas, Texas Tech University, and the University of North Texas.
What is Mayday?
May Day, also known as International Workers' Day, is celebrated on May 1 of each year and is a day of commemoration and protest for workers' rights. In many countries, including the United States, May Day is marked by demonstrations, rallies, and protests advocating labor rights, social justice, and various political causes.
