KU students join nationwide protests over Gaza conflict

LAWRENCE (KSNT) - Students at the University of Kansas (KU) in Lawrence are joining in nationwide protests over the ongoing war in Gaza.

KU students are creating an encampment in Lawrence to stand together with fellow protestors at other college campuses nationwide over the treatment of Palestine in the Middle East. The group is protesting the alleged involvement of the university in what they call the ongoing genocide of Palestinian civilians in Gaza. Signs, sidewalk chalk and banners could be seen Wednesday, May 1 as the protest was underway.

The student group sent a letter to KU administrators saying they have demands that must be met. They're asking the university to contribute to the demilitarization of both the KU campuss and Lawrence abroad.

Part of the demands issued in the letter include a demand for the university to allow the activists to exercise First Amendment rights and guarantee amnesty for penalties they will place on protestors for exercising those rights. The group says students will not stop until their demands are met.

Last year, KU's campus was the site of controversy after the Graduate Teaching Assistants Coalition issued a statement in solidarity with Palestine shortly after hostilities erupted on Oct. 7, 2023. This prompted some within the organization to raise their voices over the statement over fears of what it would mean for Jewish students on campus. The American Federation of Teachers later issued its own statement on the situation, distancing itself from the GTAC's controversial stance.

A KU fraternity, Alpha Epsilon Pi, was the sight of vandalism in November 2023. Frat members found their flag pole was damaged in an alleged anti-Semitic attack as their Israeli and American flags were cut down. The Israeli flag was reportedly "torn to shreds" during the incident.

KU's Chancellor, Douglas Girod, responded to the attack with a statement in which he said the act of vandalism was likely meant "to intimidate members of our Jewish community." The Lawrence-Douglas County Fire and Medical Department later helped the fraternity repair the damage in a show of solidarity with the students.

In recent weeks, Multiple protests have been ongoing across the U.S. in major cities like Washington D.C. and New York City. Police have been called on to break up the protests, such as the one at Columbia University, while students and other Pro-Palestinian activists are calling on officials to respect their right to to protest.

Pro-Palestinian protestors became active around the world in the days following the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas which included a rocket barrage, attacks on civilians and the taking of hostages, according to a report from The Associated Press. Israel's retaliation strikes against Gaza and the terrorist organization Hamas have resulted in the deaths of 34,000 Palestinians.

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