Fourth Estate/Andani Munkaila
Mason students call on the University in several on-campus protests within the previous semester.
BY VIVIANA SMITH, NEWS EDITOR, AND ANDANI MUNKAILA, SOCIAL MEDIA AND GRAPHICS EDITOR
Editor’s Note: Fourth Estate uses language in accordance with AP style guidelines. For more information on the use of the “Israel-Hamas war”, please visit the AP Stylebook.
Members of the student body participated in numerous demonstrations and protests throughout the fall 2023 semester regarding the Israel-Hamas war.
Earlier in the semester, Around 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 25, Mason students walked out of class, work and other activities to rally together alongside Students for Justice in Palestine at GMU, or SJP, in Wilkins Plaza on the Fairfax campus to protest the U.S. funding of the Israel-Hamas war.
Protestors shouted, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” while raising Palestinian flags and signs stating, “Stop U.S. aid to Israel.”
According to AP News, President Biden and White House officials requested about $105 Billion dollars to fund military and government operations in both Ukraine and Israel.
The national walkout was initiated by several groups supporting Palestine, including National Students for Justice in Palestine.
In a post by SJP on Oct. 24, they called for the Mason Community to participate in the national walkout, demanding the university’s acknowledgement of the war and cutting ties with military contracting companies.
“All of our institutions, including our universities, must be pushed to take clear stances,” an SJP representative said during the walkout.
In a post by Instagram account Wearedissesnters, the walkout is referred to as the North American Student Walkout. The national walkout included about 100 university and college campuses spanning across the U.S. and Canada.
In a statement on Oct. 9, SJP said, “we call on all those who identify as ‘allies’ to the Palestinian liberation movement to take similar action.”
In addition to the walkout, various organizations and student groups nationwide have urged further initiatives, such as boycotting companies including Starbucks and McDonald’s.
In a post on Oct. 22, SJP said, “We, the Students for Justice in Palestine at Mason, call on the Mason Community to join us in a university-wide boycott of all Starbucks locations on campus indefinitely.”
Following the walkout, SJP addressed claims of members from Mason’s Muslim Students’ Association, or MSA following allegations of harassment towards student protesters.
In an Instagram post by MSA, students were urged to report behaviors of harassment and discrimination by counter-protestors.
“It is imperative that these incidents are reported so that the administration can take action,” MSA said. “We as the university’s Muslim Student Association can hold them accountable.”
In a statement made by the Office of the President on Nov. 2, the university has increased campus safety measures in accordance with increased standards of protection by National and State administration.
The increase of campus safety is referred to as the Patriot Plan for Community Safety and Well-Being.
According to the Office of the President, “Police have increased their presence at gatherings, are providing additional security to high profile events… In addition, you may see increased patrols and presence in high-traffic areas frequented by students.”
Since the National Walkout, SJP has hosted multiple protests on Mason’s campus, including the Chalk the Plaza and Stand up Speak out rally.
On Nov. 30, SJP led a march towards President Gregory Washington’s office, located at Merten Hall.
In a post by SJP, the group was to meet at Wilkins plaza at 1:30 p.m. and bring “Palestine flags, kuffiyehs, posters, banners, megaphones, drums & noise makers.”
SJP brought megaphones and began their speeches. Protestors shouted, “Shame on you! Shame on you!” towards Merten Hall.
An SJP member said, “They told us we couldn’t bring speakers, so we didn’t. We just got as many megaphones as we can, and we have our voices because they can’t tell us to be quiet.”
Another SJP member said,“They are scared of our solidarity! They are trying to divide us!”
On Dec. 1, SJP announced their plans of attending another assembly at the Justice Center in DC.
In an Instagram post by SJP on Dec. 5, SJP linked a donation effort towards an unidentified Palestinian organizer who the group claimed was a victim of “vicious targeting and doxxing” and allegedly faced death threats at their home, online harassment, and impact on their employment according to the group.
Most recently, SJP released an announcement on their Instagram asking students to wear Keffiyehs to the Fall 2023 commencement, “show George Mason University that even in our joy and celebration, we must show our resistance and solidarity.” SJP said in their post.
