A coalition of 185 social justice and religious groups published an open letter expressing support for the campus protest encampments across the country in opposition to Israel’s siege of Gaza. The letter calls on university administrators to end the crackdowns on the student-led demonstrations, which have resulted in nearly 900 student arrests in the last 10 days. The signatories include Gen-Z for Change, Working Families Party, IfNotNow Movement, and other progressive organizations. The letter highlights the divide between establishment Democratic figures and social justice groups regarding U.S. support for Israel, criticizing President Joe Biden for refusing to condition the sale of weapons to Israel.
Yasmine Taeb, one of the main organizers of the letter, stated that the coalition of organizations stands in solidarity with the students protesting against the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Elise Joshi, executive director at Gen-Z for Change, emphasized the moral obligation to stand with youth in Gaza and all of Palestine. The letter condemns the violent responses by university administration officials and demands the removal of police and militarized forces from campuses. It also calls for an immediate and lasting ceasefire and an end to the U.S. government’s role in the ongoing genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. The students are protesting for financial divestment from companies tied to Israel and for a permanent cease-fire in Gaza.
The letter highlights the significant level of support among progressive groups for the student protests, drawing attention to the student-led movements at universities nationwide. It notes that the current period of unrest echoes the volatile demonstrations against the Vietnam War in 1968, when hundreds of students were arrested. The signatories assert that young people mobilizing for Palestinian human rights should not be attacked, and urge President Biden to listen to the majority of Americans calling for an end to funding and support for atrocities committed against the people of Gaza. The letter emphasizes the importance of amplifying the voices of the students protesting in encampments across the country.
The encampments have been met with police crackdowns at various universities, including arrests, evictions, and suspensions of students. The violent responses by law enforcement have sparked defiance among students, inspiring similar movements at numerous other campuses. Republican officials and right-wing media figures have accused the demonstrations of antisemitism, despite many student protesters being Jewish. Far-right agitators have targeted the encampments, with some engaging in confrontations with pro-Palestinian students. Columbia University’s president issued a deadline for students to leave the encampment, threatening mass suspensions and evictions.
The letter calls for an end to Israel’s siege of Gaza, emphasizing the dire humanitarian situation in the occupied territory. It condemns the violent response to peaceful protests and demands accountability from university administrators and government officials. The student-led movements are motivated by a desire to dismantle systems of oppression and to stand in solidarity with the people of Gaza. The letter underscores the need for immediate action to address the ongoing genocide in Gaza and to support the students advocating for justice and human rights.
