Pro-Palestinian groups protest at OU and urge the university to modify its investment policies

NORMAN — Two groups opposing the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and seeking an independent state of Palestine held a forceful, yet peaceful, protest on Wednesday afternoon on the University of Oklahoma campus.

The protest on OU’s South Oval started just east of Dale Hall before moving to near the south entrance of the Bizzell Library and then back. It gradually grew to include about 200 people, including a number of onlookers who passed by, curious at what was happening. About a half-dozen OU Police Department officers were present but stayed on the fringe of the protest area and never interfered with speakers or protestors. OU’s public relations department reported no incidents.

Protestors want a free Palestine and for universities to divest from businesses connected with Israel

Held on May Day ― also known as International Workers’ Day — the OU protest was sponsored by the Student Socialist League and the Student Coalition for Palestinian Liberation (SCPL). Leaders of those groups instructed protesters to not speak to media and to not engage with any counter-protestors. Questions from reporters were directed to Abraar Hassany, a member of the executive team for the Student Socialist League. Many in the crowd wore masks or carried signs supporting Palestinians while chanting slogans including, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”

As at other campuses across the nation, students in the OU protest group want the university to disclose its financial interests in companies that do business with the nation of Israel and to divest itself of those interests. “We stand with all students calling for disclosure and divestment and demand the same!” the OU SCPL group said on its Instagram page.

“We believe in being peaceful, but not docile,” Hassany said.

The war began after Hamas militants from Gaza stormed into nearby Israeli towns on Oct. 7, a major Jewish holiday, and killed hundreds of civilians while taking almost 200 others as hostages. Israel immediately invaded Gaza and thousands of Palestinian civilians living in Gaza have died during the ensuing war.

A similar protest is planned for Thursday at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater.

It was a much different scene than other protests that have played out in front of television cameras at campuses across the United States, such as Columbia University in New York, the University of Texas in Austin and UCLA in Los Angeles, where violence and confrontations between protestors and law enforcement have occurred.

OU released the following statement to The Oklahoman: “A student-led May Day demonstration was held today on OU’s Norman campus. As a public university we uphold the right to free speech and assembly. Based upon reports, today’s event occurred without incident.” The university did not answer questions from The Oklahoman about the reasons why OU leaders think calm has prevailed on campus concerning the Israel-Hamas war, or what actions it's taken to protect students on both sides who are navigating the politically challenging situation.

“The university administration has done a good job, in that when we have protested, when we have had sit-ins (or) rallies, they have not forcibly dispersed us,” Hassany said. “I would say that is the main (reason) we have not escalated things in any way. The administration has not sicced the dogs on us or cops on us. It’s been peaceful in that regard.”

OU President Joseph Harroz generally has supported free-speech efforts on the campus and even made a video in support of Free Speech Week at OU last October.

“When we think about what it means to be a public university, the principles of freedom of speech, inquiry and expression are fundamental to our very essence,” Harroz said then.

Jewish, Israeli students deliberately not engaging with the opposition

Kasi Shelton, the executive director of OU Hillel, a Jewish group, said Jewish and Israeli students at OU and OSU have purposely chosen not to confront those on the opposite side of the political and cultural divide.

"We encourage our students to avoid Pro-Palestinian protests or rallies, as counter-protesting could be dangerous and inflict additional trauma on those already grieving," Shelton told The Oklahoman. "Both sides deserve to have spaces in which they can speak their minds and be proud of their heritage and identities without vitriol."

She praised administrators at OU and OSU for maintaining calm concerning student protests.

"Campuses are unique microclimates, and while we see protests on campuses nationwide, the tone and scope differ," Shelton said. "In many cases, university administrators have helped shape the atmosphere, which impacts how the various student groups act and engage with one another. OU and OSU have been clear that verbal or physical harassment or calls for violence will not be tolerated. We are in close contact with our university partners, who are working to ensure that all students feel safe and supported on campus.

"These are complicated issues; they are not black and white. Our hope is that at some point all will recognize this and engage in respectful behavior with one another understanding these are Oklahoma universities where our priority is educational and research excellence."

OSU spokesman Mack Burke said university officials expect the protest in Stillwater to also be peaceful.

"Students have conducted several peaceful vigils or demonstrations related to the events unfolding in the Middle East throughout the past few months," the university's statement said. "All have been without incident, and there is no indication that Thursday’s event will be anything other than a peaceful rally.

"At OSU, we support free speech and an environment that encourages the sharing of different ideas and perspectives. OSU policies and procedures regarding campus unrest allow for responses to unreasonably disruptive actions, including blocking access to buildings or other spaces, blocking streets, disrupting the normal course of business, violence or property damage. OSU has proactively reached out to students who may be affected, and OSUPD and Division of Student Affairs personnel will be on-hand at the event to monitor and provide support to students if necessary."

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: University of Oklahoma protest: Groups support Palestine, divestments