CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Nearly a year since the pro-Palestine demonstrations occurred at the Alma Mater statue, a group of student protesters gathered once more on campus this Friday afternoon.
Much like the previous year, they are urging the University of Illinois to withdraw its investments from companies that support Israel and the conflict in Gaza. This year, the group additionally raised issues about the possibility of visa cancellations for international students and urged the university to enhance its support for these students.
WCIA talked with one protester who did not want her name shared and the Chabad Center for Jewish Life on campus.
“It’s appalling how our university turns a blind eye, refusing to support its students despite boasting about diversity, equity, inclusion, and its supposedly progressive outlook,” one protestor said. “We’re gathered here for several reasons, but chiefly to oppose imperialism.”
“Everyone should have the right to demonstrate and to protest, but also everyone has to follow the rules that’s done within the rules of the university or within the rules of our cities and states, and that’s about balance,” said Rabbi Dovid Tiechtel. “We want to make sure that everybody feels safe, everyone feels secure and everyone feels welcome.”
The CU Muslim Action Committee is also planning a protest at the next Champaign City Council meeting on May 6.
