Members of UChicago United for Palestine rallied on the quad on Friday to commemorate the 78th anniversary of the Nakba and criticize the University’s ties to Israel.
Students and community members launched a week-long protest and installation outside Swift Hall marking the one-year anniversary of the 2024 pro-Palestine encampment, resulting in multiple confrontations with campus police throughout the week.
Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and a negotiator during Columbia University’s pro-Palestine encampment, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers on March 8 despite his status as a lawful permanent resident.
A Wednesday executive order titled “Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism” cited two sections of the U.S. federal code concerning conspiracy against civil rights and immigration restrictions on the basis of terrorism.
At a press briefing, Mamayan Jabateh, formerly identified by UCUP as “Student B.,” spoke about their arrest by CPD in December. UCUP did not offer reporters the chance to ask questions during the event.
Faculty & Staff for Justice in Palestine organized the rally, which took place outside Stuart Hall while University President Paul Alivisatos and Provost Katherine Baicker met with the Council of the University Senate.
Around 40 protesters briefly rallied outside Harper Memorial Library before delivering a petition with over 1,500 signatures to the Office of the Dean of Students in the College, calling for the reversal of a student’s involuntary leave of absence.
The student, who has not been identified publicly, was placed on involuntary leave and removed from University housing on October 21, according to his lawyer.
The Maroon captured scenes throughout the protest, from the end of the quad rally to when demonstrators dispersed from the area between Ratner Athletic Center and the Court Theatre.
