This article has been edited to remove the names of pro-Palestinian students. Read more here: https://www.purdueexponent.org/palestine-editorial-exponent-protest/article_fa7a8626-e025-11ef-bf4b-d7af2a263c11.html.
The red, white and green flags of Palestine and Lebanon flew in a gentle breeze as a large crowd wearing keffiyehs gathered to march in support of the countries.Following a year of protests and encampments on campus, Palestine advocates held the march Friday evening to honor the one-year mark of the attacks on Palestine.
“The goal is to come together and advocate for what we’ve been doing for months and months to ensure our voices are heard by the university,” said _____. “We are trying to get acknowledgement from Purdue or any sort of recognition.”
Organizations including Students for Justice in Palestine, Young Democratic Socialists of America and Jewish Voice for Peace have continued to demand Purdue to divest from companies and institutions that they say profit from "Israeli Apartheid," according to previous Exponent reporting.
“Let's continue boycotting, let's continue protesting, advocating, doing everything we can to support Palestine,” said ______, the organizer of the march.
Many of the students in attendance Friday have direct ties to Palestine, like Hazboun, who grew up there and other members who have family staying in Lebanon.
“Even if we didn’t have our Palestinian students, we know we would still show up,” ______ said.
_____, a graduate student in mechanical engineering, grew up in Lebanon before moving to Canada. A strike hit close to some of his family members’ home Thursday, he said.
______ said he was not expecting the protest to change everything, but it is important to continue to spread awareness.“Just a voice to reach some place where things can be done, although my expectations are very low, but I would like to fight for the rights,” he said. “We can scream, so that maybe someone can hear and someone can hear us in trouble and help us.”
As they marched across campus to Chauncey, students waved Lebanese flags showing their support for the country.
“It’s a sense of solidarity, especially now as more nations have become victims to Israel like Lebanon,” said ______, one of the people marching.
Over the course of the year, the combination of several pro-Palestinian organizations have held more than 20 protests, _____ said.
“Yes, it’s been a year and there’s a sense of loss but there’s also a sense of solidarity that we’re all stronger together. We have absolutely nothing to lose,” ______ said. “Hope is a discipline, it’s something you practice every day.”
