By WMBD TV

NORMAL – People protesting the war in Gaza at Illinois State University abandoned their encampment after the school told them it was in violation of campus policy.

The reaction on ISU’s Normal campus is in far cry to what is happening elsewhere in the nation. Student protestors have been forcibly evicted and many arrested at Columbia University and the University of California in Los Angeles.

ISU’s spokesman Chris Coplan said the university told the protestors they could face a bevy of consequences up to and including suspension and possible termination for employees who were taking part.

The groups protesting include Students for Justice in Palestine ISU and the Young Democratic Socialists of America ISU. The students sent a letter to the university stating that they are sympathetic to the Palestinian cause and hope to “remove ISU’s complicity in genocide, hoping to learn from and assist ISU in cutting ties with problematic corporations.”

Coplan said peaceful protests are always welcome on campus but the university has policies to manage the time, place and manner of the protests. The written warning given to students stated that structures and tents attached to the Gazebo on the quad needed to be removed.

“While the structures erected and amplification used by demonstration participants yesterday were not authorized, they were not asked to leave,” he said. “University officials made repeated contact with demonstration participants throughout the day on Tuesday and early Wednesday regarding university policies and requirements for activities on campus grounds.

“When these conversations with the group did not prompt compliance, the University ultimately issued written and verbal warnings to participants on Wednesday morning about the consequences of noncompliance,” Coplan said.

Protestors removed their tents after the written warnings were issued, he said.

“Illinois State University is appreciative of this cooperation and welcomes the group to continue a peaceful protest in compliance with university policies,” Coplan said. “Civic engagement is a core Illinois State value, and the University recognizes the efforts of our campus community to embody the values of our Redbird community.”

According to a letter protesters sent to the university, some of the demands the protesters have for ISU include:  

• A ceasefire statement from the university calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire for Palestine.
• Release a statement in support of the Palestinian Student body.
• They are asking the university to divest from all companies “complicit in war crimes and human rights violations. This includes Caterpillar, Lockheed Martin, General Dynamic, Boeing and Honeywell.
• Ban Israeli companies from campus.
• Boycott and academically divest from Israeli institutions, including Tel Aviv University, Hebrew University of Jerusalem and any study abroad programs.
• Complete transparency about the university’s investments and spending.

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