Thousands of Palestinians Killed Since Oct. 7 Are Remembered in Campus Walkouts Across Chicago
Thousands Gather to Protest War and Support Palestinian Rights
Hundreds of students across Chicago walked out of class Monday, October 7, 2024, to honor the thousands of Palestinians killed in Gaza since the start of the war one year ago.
Students at Northwestern University, DePaul University, and the University of Illinois at Chicago joined others nationwide, to protest the war in Gaza and their school’s responses to on-campus organizing.
“It’s been over a year since the genocide of Gaza has started,” Henna Ayesh, an organizer with the DePaul University Divest Coalition, told the Sun-Times. “We’re here not only to honor our martyrs… but because we’ve witnessed universities nationwide respond very racistly to their own students who are Palestinian.”
At DePaul University in Lincoln Park, dozens of protesters began their demonstration by reading aloud the names of infants killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023, followed by a march to the student center.
“This isn’t just a Palestinian issue, this is a humanitarian issue, this is a human rights issue,” Ayesh told the crowd.
As names were read, students placed shoes and stuffed animals across the lawn symbolizing the magnitude of the loss.
DePaul students are part of a nationwide movement protesting Israel’s bombardment of Gaza following the October 7, Hamas attack, which killed 1,200 Israelis. Israeli attacks have killed nearly 42,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
In the spring, the DePaul University Divest Coalition joined others across the country establishing an encampment on the university’s quad to express support for the people of Gaza and demand their schools cut financial ties with Israel.
Weeks later, discussions with the university administration reached an impasse, and the DePaul encampment was cleared.
“We have watched our university disregard and turn against their pro-Palestinian students, we have watched them frame us, frame us with lies and threaten our right to be here on campus,” said one DePaul protester who asked not to be named.
A DePaul official was asked about the protest. DePaul officials released a statement Monday evening: “Today, a protest on campus did not meet DePaul’s Demonstration Guidelines. Those gathered on campus property did not have a reservation for the space. As a result, protesters were asked to disperse.”
A similar protest took place at Northwestern University, where a group of students organized a walkout to demonstrate against the Israeli government and demand justice for the people of Gaza.
At the start of the walkout at about 1 p.m., members of Northwestern’s Event Support Team had a conversation with organizers about the school’s demonstration policy. The policy restricts student protests before 3 p.m. in the area where the walkout was planned.
A small group of counter-protesters with Israeli flags and yellow ribbons symbolizing those taken hostage by Hamas on October 7, stood on the perimeter.
Other Campuses Across the City Join In
University of Illinois Chicago students staged a walkout in the quad Monday. “We want to remind our classmates that as we go to class, there are students who will never go to class again, who never had the opportunity to go to class,” a speaker said.
A statement was issued by Northwestern spokesperson Jon Yates, who said, “Northwestern has already begun an investigation to determine the identities of those who violated policies. As the individuals are identified they will receive disciplinary notification from the university.”
Conclusion
Students across Chicago and beyond demonstrated their commitment to social justice and human rights on October 7, honoring the thousands of Palestinians killed in Gaza since the start of the war one year ago. Their actions demonstrate that even in the face of adversity, young people are willing to stand up and demand justice and dignity for all.
FAQs
Q: How many Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023?
A: According to the Gaza Health Ministry, nearly 42,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks.
Q: Why are DePaul and Northwestern students protesting?
A: The students are protesting the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza, including the bombardment of civilian targets and the resulting loss of life.
Q: What do the shoes and stuffed animals symbolize?
A: The shoes and stuffed animals placed across the lawn at DePaul University symbolize the innocent children and civilians killed in Gaza.
