- U of W students postponed their planned Gaza solidarity camp because it did not “target” enough Muslim and Arab students.
- The camp would have been one of dozens rising across the country as administrations face the challenge of responding effectively.
Pro-Palestinian students at the University of Washington announced plans to postpone what was supposed to be Thursday’s Gaza solidarity camp because too many white students were involved.
The Pacific Northwest group had been criticized for not including enough Muslim and Arab students in camp planning.
The disruptive demonstration was scheduled for Thursday morning at Seattle University, where the administration told members of the Jewish community that they did not plan to intervene unless “the event escalates and threatens the safety of life,” according to my northwest.
Without a significant threat from those at the top of the institution, the students opted to delay the protest to “ensure that this camp is a better reflection of the UW community and has even greater unity with the Muslim, Palestinian and Arab students.
‘We want to be part of a much larger coalition of groups and make no mistake, WE WILL HAVE A UW CAMPGROUND! “We want to make sure everyone’s voice is included and that this action is as safe and strong as possible,” a post on the school’s Progressive Student Union’s Instagram read.
Students at the University of Washington postponed their planned Gaza solidarity camp because it did not “target” enough Muslim and Arab students.
Commenters claiming to be students sharply criticized PSU for failing to effectively organize the protest and recruit enough Muslim and Arab students for the effort that took place in the notoriously white and liberal Seattle area.
‘I really hope that this time they make sure to take proper safety precautions and learn what operational security means. Without prioritizing the safety of all students involved, the action is hollow and reckless,” one user wrote.
‘These problems occur repeatedly and reflect poorly on you. Please do better and get safety training and follow procedures.”
‘What’s up with all the people who want this to happen as soon as possible? Announcing this and then removing it is irresponsible. “You have endangered the people who decide to show up because they didn’t see this slide,” wrote user Bailee McCauley, who apparently remained in favor of moving forward with the protest plans, while others advocated for the event to be canceled altogether.
“Please listen to the Palestinian, Arab and Muslim students who criticize this event and cancel it,” wrote a user named Sofie.
One user named Jess Schutz criticized the entire effort, writing: ‘You guys need to learn basic organizational skills! This really is so incredibly opportunistic it’s crazy! LISTEN to our concerns. Listen to Arab and Muslim students. Don’t announce actions like this in advance.
‘Postponing this event is not enough; let’s let super/uf/uw jvp organize and announce actions like this. your reputation as an organization precedes you and accompanies you to the events you organize and support.’
Evidently, this is not the first time that the University of Washington PSU has failed to comply with intersectionality laws when planning an event or demonstration.
Dozens of protesters were kicked out of the University of Washington building as pro-Palestinian protests continue to unfold across the country.
Students sharply criticized PSU for failing to effectively organize the protest and recruit enough Muslim and Arab students for the effort that took place in the notoriously white and liberal Seattle area.
The Columbia camp, which began last week in New York City, has sparked similar demonstrations on college campuses across the country, including those at Yale University, Boston University and Michigan University.
The Washington State campus is another area where progressive students see an opportunity to set up an encampment that will undoubtedly disrupt college life.
On Thursday, students in Austin and Southern California also clashed with authorities who were ordered to break up demonstrations.