HYDE PARK, Ill.– A pro- Arab camp at the University of Chicago enters time four now.
In the interest of free speech, the school declared that it would permit an encampment for a” small time.” It began soon after Northwestern University’s camp ended.
According to school magazine The Chicago Maroon, administrators reportedly met with the organizers on Wednesday.
A Northern advocate recently informed The College Fix that some of the supplies from its tent city may be going to Chicago.
Pro-Palestine demonstrators set up camp on the Main Quad on April 29. Paul Alivisatos, president of the University of Chicago, and Michelle Rasmussan, the university’s professor of students, sent out letters later that afternoon to the entire student body outlining the university’s response.
In an email from President Alivisatos, it was stated that “free manifestation is the main guiding value of the University of Chicago” and that” the basic process we will abide by is to provide the greatest liberty possible for free manifestation.”
According to Alivisatos, the University of Chicago’s guiding principle is “free representation.”
He claimed that” the general principle we will adhere to is to give the greatest liberty possible for free representation” and that a “minimal encampment’s impact does not differ significantly from a typical rally or march.”
Given the significance of our students ‘ expressive rights, he wrote,” We may allow an encampment to remain for a short time despite the obvious violations of policy, but those who violate university policies should expect to face disciplinary consequences.”
Camp town at the Chicago photo. twitter.com/9u7yXE4BrD
— The College Fix (@CollegeFix ) May 2, 2024
The Fix visited the camp on Monday and observed around 300 individuals, many houses, some evidence, speakers, and roofs and chairs for serving food. ” We will honor all our martyrs” and” Free Palestine”, some signs said.
The protestors appeared to have been taught not to talk to visitors, and they appeared to be trained to do so. Some of the protestors appeared to be neither faculty nor students.
Additionally, there were about 20 police officers present, some of whom were conversing with protesters. Police told The Fix they “have no information”, other than what the university had sent out via email to everyone.
The Palestine Solidarity Encampment demands include:” Cut ties with the Israel Institute”, end all partnerships with” Israeli institutions”, divestment, and transparency with university investments, according to an Instagram post. They also want “reparations to Palestine and the South Side]of Chicago ]”, according to The Chicago Maroon.
Some Chicago Public Students have taken to the streets in the past few days, primarily through teach-ins and rallies.
According to The Chicago Maroon, Israel supporters have organized counter demonstrations and displays.
” Not another nickel, not another dime, bombing children is a crime”, high schoolers chanted during a Wednesday rally.
A Hyde Park resident, mother of two alumni, and former Trump administration official criticized the ongoing encampment.
” I grew up in this community, I sent both my kids to University of Chicago undergrad, ]and ] invested half a million dollars in their education, which is now being devalued”, Bonnie Glick told the campus newspaper.
” The value of their degrees is diminished. It’s the same at every one of the elite universities, where parents have invested and children are squandering the investment”.
MORE: More than 70 anti- Israel encampments have now been held on campuses nationwide
IMAGES: Benjamin Ogilvie for , The College Fix
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