Staff Reports
Following the lead of other prestigious universities, students at Princeton are gearing up to create their own anti-Israel encampment, according to documents obtained by National Review. The group, known as Princeton Gaza Solidarity, has outlined several demands in a draft press release, including divesting from Israel, ceasing sponsorship of birthright trips to Israel, and ending research funded by the Department of Defense. They have made it clear that they are prepared to stay put until their demands are met.
Students at Another Ivy League University Get Ready to Set Up Encampment https://t.co/AtourBjXnB
— Marlon East Of The Pecos (@Darksideleader2) April 25, 2024
The group has stated that they are standing up for justice for Palestinians and aiming to address what they see as unethical investments by Princeton University. They have indicated that they have support from faculty members to negotiate with the administration and have reassured potential protesters about possible consequences, claiming that expulsion is unlikely and that there will be warnings before any legal action is taken.
Despite a warning from Princeton’s vice president for campus life about the potential consequences of their actions, including arrest and disciplinary action, the group appears determined to continue. They have expressed confidence in the support they have from criminal defense attorneys and others who are committed to providing assistance in case of arrests. Additionally, they believe that the university’s warning is a strategic move and that they will not face serious consequences for their actions.
The students’ confidence in their ability to avoid serious repercussions is based on recent incidents at other universities, where college officials have backed down from initial disciplinary measures against students involved in similar demonstrations. At Barnard College, for example, officials reversed their decision to suspend students involved in an unauthorized encampment at Columbia University, and administrators at Columbia extended the deadline for anti-Israel demonstrators to disperse.
The Princeton Gaza Solidarity group’s determination to proceed with their plans despite warnings from university officials reflects a growing trend of student activism on college campuses, particularly concerning issues related to Israel and Palestine. Their willingness to defy potential consequences and their confidence in the support they have received suggest that they are prepared to engage in a prolonged protest to achieve their goals.
