College students across the United States have taken a stand against the Palestinian genocide, including here at UCLA. Over 34,000 Palestinians have been killed with over two-thirds being women and children.
Pro-Palestenian encampments have provided a visible platform and community for dialogue and advocacy to push for conversation and movement towards social justice with the overarching goals of divestment from companies involved in the Israeli occupation of Gaza.
Each and every one of us joining the encampments is making a difference. On April 28, 2024, footage showed Palestinian children in Rafah, Gaza spray painting messages on their tents, one of which reads “Thank you, students in solidarity with Gaza. Your message has reached (us).”
However, as hundreds of pro-Palestenian students peacefully protest within the encampment and work towards awareness and community building, their efforts are being wrongfully portrayed as violent.
The safety of encampment participants is far from guaranteed. And yet these students keep showing up. No matter what the risks, they are standing up for the Palestinian genocide. They are fighting for divestment and in doing so, they’re actively writing what will one day become history.
More than anything, the Pro-Palestine community stands as a proudly even as people try to push them out of the encampment:
- Dozens of UCLA Muslims came to Jummah prayer in the encampment even though they were surrounded on all sides by photographers. Closer to the time of prayer, there was yelling and mocking of the religious surahs being recited. Yet, the Muslim community’s faith was unwavered.
- A backpack filled with mice which were thrown near the encampment and scurried towards those inside. The barricade proved strong enough to withstand this and no one moved. No one left. No one let this intimidation waver their confidence.
- Every night, there have been dozens of documented instances of groups trying to break down barriers and harassing campers verbally and physically through active pushing and the yelling of racial and religious slurs.
The media has been highlighting this act of peaceful protest as being exclusive where certain groups aren’t allowed in and is being falsely labeled as discrimination. Anyone is welcome in the encampment as long as they follow community guidelines and are not violent or disruptive. Those who have been turned away have been documented harassing people in the encampment.
To put it clearly: being pro-Palestinian is not Antisemitic. The encampment is filled with Jewish students who support ceasefire and divestment. They support the basic right for children in Palestine to survive. They fight the narrative that “all of Gaza is Hamas” and they have educated themselves on the human rights violations and suffering of those in Palestine at this very moment.
“The narrative is controlled. They’re weaponizing antisemitism to silence Palestine. Zionists are feeling personally attacked on a religious level because of the relationship they’ve created with Israel even though these are separate issues,” says one Jewish American 4th year who I had the pleasure of speaking with inside of the encampment.
However, students across UCLA worry as they put on a keffiyeh. One student I interviewed highlighted that someone called her a “terrorist” for wearing a hijab and mask. Yet, people fail to consider the reason behind this. People aren’t covering their faces because they’re committing some sort of crime. They worry as they chant “Free Palestine” because this puts them at risk for being doxxed. It puts them at risk of wrongfully being labeled as antisemitic.
“I’ve been here this entire time and I’ve never been victimized or ostracized for being Jewish. I was interested in seeing what was happening on the inside. A lot of the information on Palestine has been secretive. I wanted an authentic version of history.”
Seeing such bravery and endurance only highlights the urgency of an ultimate ceasefire in Gaza. This encampment beautifully illustrates the resilience of those in Palestine and their strength. The hatred campers are facing is a result of the systematic repression that Palestinians have faced for the past 75 years. A piece of Gaza is here on UCLA’s campus and their perseverance is the key source of inspiration.
Regardless of hardships, they will not disperse. They will not run. They will not hide. They will stand firm on their beliefs for the hope of a better tomorrow.
Our voices are loud. Our voices are making a difference. Our voices are the future.