A video shared online shows an anti-Israel protester at Princeton University complaining about being “starving” during her self-imposed hunger strike and accusing the university of intentionally “physically weakening” students. She, along with other female protesters, were protesting the school’s refusal to divest from Israel following Hamas’ attack on the Jewish State in October. The protesters demanded a meeting with the university to discuss divestment and drop charges against students who were arrested for various actions related to the protest. The protest began on Friday and students indicated that they had no intention of stopping despite feeling “immunocompromised.”
The female protester in the video expressed her exhaustion and physical weakness, claiming that the university was purposefully trying to weaken them further by not meeting their demands. Despite their physical challenges, she emphasized that going on a hunger strike was a choice made by her and her peers. She mentioned that the university was reluctant to say no to unjust actions, leading to further frustration among the protesters. Despite their physical weaknesses, she highlighted the solidarity among the protesters, chanting slogans to show their unity and strength.
It was reported that at least 15 students were participating in the hunger strike, although the number may have changed throughout the week. Administrators, including the Dean of the Graduate School and other officials, were working with the protesters to address their concerns. In an email to the protesters, the administrators stated that they would consider the concerns through appropriate processes that respect the interests of all parties involved, but would not allow any group to bypass those processes or exert special leverage. The ongoing dialogue between administrators and protesters indicated a willingness to address the issues at hand through mutual understanding.
The protest at Princeton University continued into the week, with students determined to push for divestment and other demands through their hunger strike. The female protester in the video expressed her dedication to the cause, stating that spending her birthday protesting was her choice and she felt it was necessary. Despite their physical challenges, the protesters remained committed to their cause and the solidarity among them continued to grow stronger. The protesters’ demands for divestment and the dropping of charges against their peers remained central to their ongoing protest.
Amidst the ongoing hunger strike and protest, the administrators at Princeton University engaged in direct conversations with the protesters to address their concerns. The administrators stressed the importance of respecting the interests of all parties involved and going through appropriate processes to consider the demands made by the protesters. The dialogue between the two parties indicated a willingness to work towards a resolution while upholding the university’s policies and procedures. The commitment of both the protesters and the administrators to engage in constructive dialogue highlighted a potential path towards addressing the issues raised by the protest in a peaceful and respectful manner.
