Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) protested in winter-like conditions on Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 4 p.m. through Uptown Normal. They ended their protest at Hovey Hall, where they chanted in an effort to put more pressure on Illinois State University’s administration to answer their demands.
Multiple members of SJP met at Uptown Circle before the protest began. Signs were handed out that included messages demanding divestment from companies that have contributed to the war in Gaza.
Junior history education major Haley Thies talked about the importance of the protest.
“We’re hoping to simply get a meeting with them [ISU administration] to discuss these demands because they have not been met,” Thies said.
Thies added that another goal of the rally was to put pressure on the American government to stop using tax dollars and the country’s money to fund the genocide in Palestine.
“Our last goal is to continue spreading awareness and to hopefully get more people to join the fight,” Thies said.
The protest began at approximately 4:25 p.m. Dozens of SJP members and a few additional individuals marched the Uptown streets as they chanted “Free Palestine” among other call-and-response chants.
The protestors circled around the ISU Quad and ended at the stairs of Hovey Hall. They continued the call-and-response chants while sharing short, prepared speeches
“I really want to stress here that united is how we get anything done…I appreciate all the work that everyone has been doing. Nobody’s struggle is by themselves, so I know by far that this is not the only thing everyone has on their plate. I appreciate [you all] figuring out how to balance [time] and showing up for what matters,” a student said while giving their speech at Hovey Hall.
As the fall semester approaches its finale, junior computer science major Aya Hussein discussed what the registered student organization had done during the semester.
Hussein said that SJP put together a few bake sales during the semester to help raise money for the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund. The RSO raised over $1,000 dollars through the bake sales which they intend to donate to the relief fund.
“We have continued to organize; we have continued to march and we have continued to meet with Tarhule. We have continued to go to the Board of Trustees and talk to them about divestment and plans to meet with us,” Hussein said.
Thies added that next semester, SJP is looking to hold education documentary nights and to continue the rallies.
“We will continue spreading awareness by putting up flyers and talking. We’re always planning new stuff, so hopefully more ideas will keep coming,” Thies said.
The rally concluded at approximately 5:15 p.m.
