On Tuesday, April 23, University of Sydney student and staff activists commenced their first day of a campout in support of encampments at Columbia University and other US campuses.

By Valerie Chidiac and Zeina KhochaicheApril 23, 2024

Its surprising how Israel has managed to motivate students from around the world to stand up for Palestinians and against genocide – why oh why won’t Netanyahu put this effort into peace – Mark

On Tuesday April 23, University of Sydney student and staff activists commenced their first day of a campout in support of encampments at Columbia University and Barnard College, who are protesting institutional complicity in the genocide in Gaza. The Gaza Solidarity Encampment tents taking place in the US have been put up for almost one week, following police removal and the arrest of over 100 Columbia students. 

Many universities around the US have followed suit in organising their protests, including Yale University, the University of Michigan, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of California Berkeley, Washington University, Vanderbilt University, The New School, Emerson College, Tufts University, UNC Chapel Hill, and New York University. According to the Vanderbilt Divest Coalition, students have been occupying areas on their campus since March 26. 

Tonight, USyd student activists commenced a speak out at 5:30pm to begin their encampment efforts. By this time, tents were already pitched, emblazoned with graffiti reading “Free Palestine” and “from the river to the sea”. Students from Macquarie University, UTS, and UNSW were also in attendance.

The speak out was led by Jasmine and Shovan, two USyd student activists, who introduced Nadeena Dixon, a Wiradjuri, Yuin and Gadigal artist and activist who performed a Welcome to Country ceremony.

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