President Donald Trump’s administration has initiated a continuous assault on university life, the First Amendment, student journalism and civil rights just 86 days into his term. Our papers — the Michigan Daily, the Grand Valley Lanthorn and the Ferris State Torch — have witnessed the onslaught to varying degrees in our own backyards. As journalists and students, we are watching an attack on the rights of our peers with a simultaneous shift to cowardice by university administrations. This is not just happening in Michigan, but across the entire country. 

Following a summer of protests and the violent removal of a pro-Palestine encampment at the University of Michigan, there has been a retaliation from the highest office in the country. After the federal government dangled $400 million of federal funding in their faces, Columbia administrators agreed to ban protesting students from wearing face masks, hire additional security personnel and review the school’s Middle Eastern studies department. These concessions are taking place on varying scales across the country, with the University of Maine serving as another example. To win back funding, the institution announced it will not allow trans women to compete in women’s sports.

When students enroll in school, they do so under the assumption their university will look out for them. That assumption has been proven wrong. Universities are failing to deliver for their students, as administrators have prioritized their pocketbooks over the security of their students. 

Student journalists and activist groups have warned that the values defining higher education are under attack. As diversity, equity and inclusion programs come under assault, immigration officers descend upon our campuses and LGBTQ+ protections are stripped away, our schools have either stood in silence or actively fallen in line with the president’s demands, and in the process, our universities have been pulled from under us.

In a shameful move, U-M announced campus-wide cuts to DEI initiatives through the closure of both its Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Office of Health, Equity and Inclusion. The Wall Street Journal reports that University of Michigan President Santa Ono is “ready to play ball with Trump’s Washington.” He’s not the only one. 

At Grand Valley State University, students and faculty have expressed concern over a lack of communication about campus immigration and customs enforcement guidelines. In March, GVSU administration altered and cut language in the university’s harassment policy to fall in line with the most recent federal court rulings, which reverted Title IX policies back to those of the first Trump administration.

For Ferris State University, a lack of student protests has seemingly equated to little to no concerns about federal crackdowns. However, we argue that it’s a safe bet that members of targeted communities are most likely living with fear. At the very least, we think our universities should be affirming the safety of students who have drawn the ire of the federal government. 

Last week, the Department of Homeland Security revoked the visas of current and former U-M, GVSU and Central Michigan University students. Places of higher education have a duty to protect students, whether that be from ICE arrests, the federal government’s gutting of resources for marginalized students or the erasure of scholarship and curricula. However, none of our schools have appropriately safeguarded students from the federal government’s harm.

Following the detainment of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Tufts University doctoral student who wrote a pro-Palestine op-ed in her school’s newspaper, Tufts’ president issued a statement of support for Ozturk and called for her release. We applaud the actions being taken by Tufts University and feel higher-ed administrations nationwide should be exerting the same strength to shield their students from Trump’s grip.

Just this week, Harvard refused to capitulate to the Trump administration’s demands, saying the university is “not prepared to agree to demands that go beyond the lawful authority of this or any administration.” We believe that Harvard’s stance should be replicated by other universities, yet we also acknowledge the school’s hand in repressing pro-Palestine activists. While not all higher-ed institutions are private like Harvard, the protection of students should be universal. 

At the moment, we don’t feel our institutions would stand up and speak out. We’ve seen our administrations quickly cave to the pressure of both the Trump administration and wealthy benefactors time and time again. Above all, university officials appear to be more worried about their finances than the communities they are meant to serve.

Our papers cover these issues in order to help students parse through the hectic media landscape. In most cases, university leadership either briefly responds through email or flat out declines to comment. Administrators should be engaging in communication with student reporters during this difficult time. We feel as if instead of supporting their students, many higher-ed officials are cowardly hiding being a wall of vague and ambiguous policy. 

As journalists, we feel a responsibility to amplify campus voices, and as scholars ourselves, we’re imploring our administrations to safeguard students from harm’s way and preserve freedom of expression. It’s up to students and university community members to continue speaking out and advocating for the future they want to see on their campuses — a space free of repression and oppression — in Michigan and beyond.

Cheap nostalgia: Disney live-action renditions lack fresh interpretations

Within the past decade, there has been an increase in the production of live-action remakes of many beloved animated films. Disney is by far the largest contributor in this phenomenon, as they appear to be working through their collection of classic animations, most recently debuting the live action “Snow White,” released last month.

Disney has the ability to revamp stories because the company is not the creator of the tales they showcase, many of which are based in folklore. While we understand the immersive appeal of live-action movies, there seems to be a level of halfhearted handiwork on Disney’s part. Many of these live-action remakes include changes that aren’t really significant enough to bring a fresh or interesting take to the source material. Rather than watching a well-coordinated adaptation of animated films or an experimental take, viewers are left with recycled remakes that don’t respect their source material.

In our view, Disney doesn’t seem able to consistently churn out films that are either innovative or thoughtful in their retellings. This dilemma results in remakes that feel like a cheap attempt to appeal to nostalgia rather than create renditions or expand on beloved fairy tales. It’s our view that Disney should be more intentional with their remakes instead of throwing in unnecessary additives. We believe Disney should honor original films with quality shot-for-shot remakes or clearly offer consistent, fresh renditions in an effort to not muddle people’s perceptions of beloved tales.

To read more of the Lanthorn staff’s editorial, click here.

Political polarization leads Kendrick Lamar halftime critiques

Shortly after sweeping the Grammys with the diss track “Not Like Us,” Kendrick Lamar took the stage at the Caesar’s Superdome in New Orleans for the most-viewed Super Bowl Halftime Show in history. This wasn’t Lamar’s first time performing at the Super Bowl— he appeared alongside Dr. Dre, Mary J. Blige, Snoop Dogg, and Eminem during the 2022 Super Bowl, which marked the first halftime show to focus entirely on hip-hop. With guests including SZA, Mustard, Samuel L. Jackson and Serena Williams, Lamar used his performance to make a statement; against Drake, of course, but also about greater themes of patriotism and political division.

Jackson, who served as a narrator through the performance, was decked out in a patriotic suit, and personified Uncle Sam. As the Root reported, “Uncle Sam was supposed to represent the ‘sanitized’ America. The America that makes most of the Super Bowl viewers comfortable.”

The show was filled with symbolism, with dancers on the main stage dressed head-to-toe in red, white and blue. During the opening notes of Lamar’s 2017 hit “HUMBLE,” the dancers arranged to form an American flag. The choreography continued, and the flag formation split down the middle, which we see as symbolizing the division within our current political system.

To read more of the Lanthorn staff’s editorial, click here.

Brat or not brat: “We’re bumpin’ that”

Ranking No. 3 on the Billboard music charts, the album “brat” by Charli xcx is more than the soundtrack to our summer. After “brat” released on June 7, the chaotic, high energy album became a viral sensation, and has transformed into an aesthetic and lifestyle trend called “brat summer. Brat summer has swarmed social media and truly took on a life of its own. We are certainly “bumpin’ that.”

One of the trends associated with “Brat” is its lime green album cover– the new color of the summer. The color has had an impact similar to the aesthetic trends of last summer’s blockbuster movie release, “Barbie.”

The singer has defined brat summer as an aesthetic for messy and rebellious party girls to embrace a lifestyle of being your perfectly imperfect self. The trend has been deemed by the general public as an opposite of the “clean girl” aesthetic of 2022, which popularized a groomed and filtered version of femininity. Here at the Lanthorn, we think this acceptance of a real and sometimes messy lifestyle is “so Julia.”

To read more of the Lanthorn staff’s editorial, click here.

Columns

Ranking every Michigan record store I’ve visited

Since starting my music collection in 2018, visiting record stores has become one of my favorite activities– whether that be shopping with friends or my dad, who’s also restarted his own collection. I’ve made a habit of stopping at shops while on mini-vacations or driving through new towns. That being said, I’ve taken the time to rank all of the 13 stores in Michigan that have had me flipping through vinyl. A majority of the shops I’ve ranked are located in West Michigan, however there are a couple exceptions. My list is, in-part, determined by both my preferred selection and the type of shopping experience I enjoy most.

To read more of Hailey Hentz’s column, click here.

Written rivalry: What the Anchor-Bone Classic means to our newspapers

When talking about rivalries in sports, there are plenty of options. Michigan and Michigan State or Michigan and Ohio State are easy answers for Michiganders. Those aren’t the rivalries the Torch and the Lanthorn have the honor of covering.

Our small, midwestern newspapers get to say that we cover the Anchor Bone Classic. It’s built into the DNA of Bulldogs and Lakers to have the date of the Grand Valley and Ferris game circled, either mentally or physically.

Every fall, the Lanthorn releases an article about the Grand Valley versus Ferris game– an article that encapsulates the antagonism and excitement that repeats with unfaltering intensity. With a corresponding photo on the newspaper’s cover, the yearly edition arguably represents school spirit and what it means to “be a Laker” better than any of our editions.

In pages divided up between the latest news, club features and individual Lakers’ columns, pride for Grand Valley normally takes many forms. But when it comes to the edition highlighting the rivalry game, devotion to school spirit is in one substantial place, taking the form of a two-page blue, black, and white compilation.

To read more of Hailey Hentz and Dylan Rider’s column, click here.

Beyond ceasefire: Advocating against apartheid is a continued fight

More than 471 days since Oct. 7, 2023, the day so many of us have been asking for, praying for and demanding, has finally come to pass. A ceasefire has successfully been brokered between Israel and Hamas, ending the former’s genocidal slaughter of the Gaza Strip. For many, and certainly myself, this is cause for celebration. We’ve witnessed war crimes unlike anything our generation has ever seen broadcast daily on our devices. After over a year, we can finally look forward to an imminent ending of the terror and a relative return to “normal.” However, I must urge you to look at what this “normal” entails. While the bombing may stop, we still must continue to advocate for the Palestinian people.

To read more of Jace Perroud’s column, click here.

GV administration should protect students from Trump’s agenda

Like other students at Grand Valley State University, I have become increasingly anxious about the state of America following the inauguration of President Donald J. Trump on Monday, Jan. 20. The inauguration was notably attended by wealthy tech executives and several high-ranking politicians from both parties. The occasion was also filled with much of the hyper-nationalistic rhetoric we have come to expect from Trump, who declared that America would “pursue (its) manifest destiny into the stars.” While the speech captured many people’s attention, it was Trump’s actions soon after that became the main cause of alarm.

Within hours of entering office, Trump began a wave of executive orders and plans, including, but not limited to, the pardoning of all involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, a requirement that all federal employees stop working remotely and even a rename of the Gulf Of Mexico to the “Gulf Of America.” Most concerning, however, are Trump’s attacks on immigration and diversity.

To read more of Jace Perroud’s column, click here.

Reducing financial burdens could improve the college experience

Being broke is a common stereotype for us college students. In most cases, this stereotype reigns true with many of us living paycheck to paycheck and feeling the constant stress of finances. I believe that without the extremely high cost of course materials, housing and tuition we wouldn’t be in such a bad situation. I feel that almost all things related to college should be more affordable.

High costs of university expenses cause major stress and anxiety. Nearly every four-year student has some kind of debt stacked up before the end of their college experience. If the cost of college and materials were cheaper, I think the number of students with debt would be drastically decreased. I can attest to the anxiety that having future debt gives students.

I personally worry about my future and the financial burden my student debt might cause me. Students worry not only about debt, but also semester bills they don’t take out loans for. I’ve had friends cry over expenses and wonder how they’re going to pay. Not every student has the benefit of financial aid– they have to pay their bills immediately. While many students do barely manage to pay, there’s still a large number of students who end up dropping out because they cannot afford the cost of college.

To read more of Gabrielle Ray’s column, click here.

In January, I wrote one of my first articles for the Lanthorn on my thoughts regarding the ceasefire in Gaza. While I still stressed the importance of continued activism in all arenas against Israeli apartheid, I was thankful that the horrific, inexcusable violence against Palestinians in Gaza would be coming to an end. Clearly, I had far too much faith in the powers that be to stop the genocide. True to form, the Israeli Defense Force, which I will henceforth be referring to as the Israeli Occupational Force (IOF), mainly attacked residential buildings used as shelters, as well as makeshift schools– once again leaving many mothers and fathers in Gaza forced to search through the rubble for their dead children. 400 lives were extinguished in a matter of minutes, and the situation’s horror set in for the Palestinian people, who have been plunged back into the depths of hell they had momentarily escaped from.

It should be made perfectly clear that President Donald Trump gave his tacit approval of the genocide’s reescalation. Just like his predecessor, Trump gave the IOF an open check to daily inflict despicable crimes against humanity. Among his many enthusiastic statements of support to Israel was his suggestion that Palestinians in Gaza be “relocated” to surrounding countries. To be completely clear, this is an example of ethnic cleansing, otherwise known as genocide. It should not be surprising that Trump, who has mainly accumulated his wealth on the back of the empire built by his racist, landlord father, advocated what is essentially large-scale gentrification in the Gaza Strip.

The situation in occupied Palestine is only getting more dire by the second, as the IOF has already launched a ground campaign into northern Gaza– a campaign likely to kill thousands more. This invasion has been coupled with a truly dystopian video of the Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, who warned that the IOF is ready to attack “with a force beyond anything you have ever seen.” Considering what we have borne witness to over the past year and a half, I shudder to think of what his statement entails. 

Despite the hopes of all who advocated for and celebrated the ceasefire several months ago, the genocide in Gaza has reverted back to its horrifying form from before the ceasefire, with unmitigated acts of cruelty sure to be perpetuated on a regular basis. The main difference this time around, however, is the viciousness of dissent being crushed in the United States. Take, for example, the case of Mahmoud Khalil, a recent Columbia University graduate who had been legally obtaining his education in America on a green card. At Columbia, Khalil played a large role in the university’s student encampment last spring. Without warning, federal immigration agents showed up and detained him. Trump soon proudly took to social media to announce his plans to deport Khalil, despite his having a green card. Weeks later, Khalil is still being held with zero charges.

Now, just as when the ceasefire was first announced, our priorities must remain firm. Despite pathetic, authoritarian attempts to silence us, we must continue to speak out for Palestine in all forms available to us. We must continue to boycott all companies that do business with the criminal Israeli government. We must continue to pressure our local governments and schools to divest from this genocide. We must keep the lives of Palestinians in our hearts, as they stare down the barrel of horror once again. Free Palestine!

According to the Associated Press, an ICE agent justified the arrest to Khalil’s lawyer by stating the act was based on State Department orders to rescind Khalil’s student visa. In response, Khalil’s attorney clarified that the student graduated in December, and has since obtained a permanent green card, which allows him to live and work permanently in the U.S. The ICE agent then stated that Khalil’s green card was being revoked. While the subject of immigration has always been a hot topic among the Trump administration, the focus has always been on undocumented citizens– until now. Given Khalil’s legal status, we wonder where the line is being drawn between acceptable expressions of protest and forms that put individuals at risk of being detained. Not only that, but it is cause to question whether or not this idea of arresting protesters could extend to natural-born citizens. 

The day following Khalil’s arrest, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio shared a statement on X, posting, “We will be revoking the visas and/or green cards of Hamas supporters in America so they can be deported.” We think that Rubio’s post and related rhetoric being spread by the Trump administration is an absolute violation of the Constitutional right to freedom of speech and expression, and is discourteous to individuals that have been given even a legal right to live in America.

Tricia McLaughlin, the spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, expanded on Rubio’s point, stating the arrest was “in support of President Trump’s executive orders prohibiting antisemitism.” We find one obvious problem with this ideology: being anti-Israel isn’t the same as being antisemitic. Antisemitism is a form of prejudice or discrimination directed toward Jewish individuals or groups, while anti-Israel sentiments are often used to critique the Israeli government and its behavior concerning Palestinian land and people.

Labeling Palestine activists as antisemitic is a portrayal that not only makes pro-Palestine people and organizations appear to have an inaccurately harmful agenda but also impacts the general feeling of safety and security among Jewish individuals worldwide. People protesting for Palestine are, by and large, not a threat to the Jewish community, and are typically pushing for the safety of the individuals living in war zones. However, to make pro-Palestine protesters seem threatening, many turn to instilling fear or anger, and refer to demonstrators as antisemitic in an attempt to rally more people to their cause.

It is also important to note there is a variety of opinions among people who hold pro-Palestine sentiments. While some protesters believe in a two-state solution, others openly support the Palestinian resistance. The Trump administration’s rhetoric surrounding pro-Palestine demonstrators also implies that protesters at large maintain the same personal beliefs. 

When it comes to how the Trump administration has framed the actions of pro-Palestine individuals and organizations, we particularly take issue with the term “un-American.” This term is inherently flawed, as American values aren’t a concrete set of ideals that are true for every American citizen. Additionally, we feel the Trump administration, and in a broader sense, the majority of elected officials, have been hypocritical in their assessment of protesters. Officials name protesters as dangerous individuals, ignoring the truth of their own cause, which supports U.S. allyship with Israel.  

In just a number of weeks, the longtime party of so-called free speech and limited government has cosigned some of the most authoritarian actions we’ve ever seen from a sitting president. After Trump publicly stated that he and the executive branch “are the federal law,” the administration cannot possibly be in a position to claim or enforce what is or isn’t “un-American.” This push to deport those who are protesting against violence toward the Palestinian people only further highlights the government’s hypocrisy.

Regardless of the way our government is framing the pro-Palestine “agenda,” ultimately demonstrations have been aimed at ending violence against the Palestinian people and expressing upset at our government’s support of the devastation that has occurred thus far. We believe that citizens should feel safe to speak out for what they believe in without the fear of being attacked by their own government. Khalil’s case shows a disturbing pivot away from free speech, one of the United States’ founding values. The bottom line is that Americans should be able to exercise their freedom of speech – in this case, concerning Palestine – without being at risk of deportation.

In February 2022, Amnesty International posted an article detailing Israel’s activity in Palestine prior to Oct. 7. Here, it is laid out that the situation in Palestine is a situation of apartheid. According to the article, the Palestinian people have been evicted from their homes by the Israeli government, and Israel has imposed laws designed to maintain control over Palestinians. Not to mention, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), which I refer to as the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF), has continuously been bombing Palestine during the ceasefire deal’s final stages. This has even included bombing ceasefire celebrations in Palestine.

Like clockwork, both former President Joe Biden and President Donald Trump have attempted to jump at the opportunity to take credit for this deal. Trump seems to have claimed that the sheer force of fear his administration would wield was the driving force behind Hamas agreeing to ceasefire. I question this, especially considering the willingness of the Palestinian resistance to fight Israel, which boasts one of the world’s most sophisticated fighting forces. Biden, for his part, seems very willing to add the ceasefire negotiation to his legacy, despite his numerous chances to end the genocide earlier. Instead, he chose to intensify it time and time again. The fact of the matter is that both these presidents’ legacies will be that of genocide, a fact they should never be able to live down.

After these instances of aggression stop, horrific systems of oppression will remain. Palestinian families will still go hungry so that Israeli settlers can live in comfort. Palestinians will still be seen as second-class citizens in their own land. They will still be subject to eviction from their homes, as Israel’s territory continues to expand. Gaza will remain the open-air prison it has been for decades. The apartheid walls will stand just as tall when all the guns cease.

While we can surely celebrate the relative victory of a ceasefire agreement being reached, this fight is far from over. All those who care for the rights of Palestinians must continue to organize, march, speak out and fight. Under no circumstances should we accept apartheid as normal. We must continue to tirelessly speak out in the name of a free Palestine, lest we simply repeat the genocide in perpetuity.

This year, Woodstock Fest partnered with Palestine Solidarity Grand Rapids, a political organization that organizes in the Grand Rapids area for the liberation of Palestine. Partnering with Woodstock allowed the organization to help raise donations for the ElMassry-Sahmound family, which is trying to escape devastation in Gaza and relocate to Egypt. The money sent to the family in need will be used for supplies including food, water and sanitary items until they are able to evacuate from Gaza. 

The festival featured 14 local artists, including GVSU student Anthony Erlandson. Performers played a variety of musical genres including folk, hyper pop, punk and more.

Additionally, this year the festival featured a costume party, and ended the night with a bonfire for guests to relax and enjoy. 

Champion helped found the volunteer-based festival in 2018. The event gives local community members interested in the arts an opportunity to get involved and help uplift surrounding communities. 

“(It’s exciting) to hang out with all the volunteers (at the festival) because normally, we are in serious meeting mode,” Champion said. “We are all goofy people, but it (is) fun to not be talking about the event and just be at it.” 

In past years, the festival has focused on raising money to support LGBTQ+ community members, but this year, it was decided that it was more pertinent to donate to the Palestinian community. 

“It is emotionally impactful for us to do and to be able to do it together,” Champion said. “(So), raising money for a global concern is what we decided to do this year.”  

The festival runs on a volunteer basis, with individuals donating their time, money and talents to help make the event a success. Champion added that he hopes those in attendance at the festival and others who donated were supplied with a little bit of hope.   

Many of Woodstock’s performing artists agreed to donate a portion of their merchandise sales to the ElMassry-Sahmound family. 

In addition to donating to the ElMassry-Sahmound family, festivalgoers had the opportunity to donate to Woodstock Fest’s continuation in the years to come. 

“If we (were) going to raise money, (the festival) had to be big,” Champion said. “It was really beautiful and inspiring because people showed up.”

Organizers said the rally on GVSU’s campus aimed to draw attention to the military action and humanitarian crisis taking place in Gaza. 

Israel declared war on Hamas, a militant, terrorist group, on Oct. 8 following Hamas’ killing of 1,400 people and taking about 240 others hostages in a cross-border attack on Oct. 7. Israeli military action in Gaza has escalated since. Now, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, as of Nov. 4, 9,448 people are dead and as of Nov. 2, the Associated Press reported 40% of the deceased are children. This has led many people in the U.S. and abroad to call for a ceasefire and advocate for further action to support Palestinians currently and on a long-term basis. 

At the rally, the protesters chanted slogans that expressed their anger at politicians and the Biden administration for passing a $14.5 billion military aid package to Israel. 

“Biden, Biden, you can’t hide, we charge you with genocide,” they declared.  Another chant asked Israeli Prime Minister  Benjamin Netanyahu “How many kids have you killed today?” Other chants included “By the millions, by the billions, we are all Palestinians,” “Ethnic cleansing is a crime,” “Fight for our liberation, down with the occupation,” and “Resistance is justified when people are occupied.” 

GVSU Junior Minna Abdel-Moemen led many of the chants at the rally. Abdel-Moemen is not a part of YDSA but wanted to come out and show her support for the message of the rally regardless. 

“I haven’t heard many people speaking about it, kind of like what I did with what happened with Ukraine and Russia,” Abdel-Moemen said. “So we wanted to bring awareness to the students about the issue, maybe cause them to think like, ‘Oh, what is that?’ and then they’ll read about it, you know, kind of spark an interest to learn more about the topic.” 

Although Abdel-Moemen is Arab, she feels the issue is not isolated to a certain nationality or ethnicity. She said all people are personally affected and connected to what is happening in Gaza. 

“Any human being should see what’s going on and see that humans are dying,” Abdel-Moemen said. “That should be enough for people to realize and feel emotionally connected.” 

Although this rally was the first pro-Palestine rally held on GVSU’s campus following the official declaration of war, many protests for Palestine or Israel have taken place across hundreds of colleges and universities in the U.S. Similarly, other protests, both in support of Israel and Palestine took place in Grand Rapids toward the beginning of October. 

YDSA President and third-year student at GVSU Jessica Koerkel said YDSA decided to hold the protest as a way to “mourn the dead and fight like hell for the living.” She said the rally was a way to have a Palestinian movement on campus and to voice student perspectives.   

“We came here to show our solidarity with Palestinians, to show that what’s happening isn’t right,” Koerkel said. “It’s (the conflict is) still ongoing, and to say that we don’t want our money to be spent funding that (Israeli military) and that we want change to happen.” 

Koerkel invited Grand Rapids groups Palestine Solidarity Grand Rapids and Grand Rapids Alliance Against Racist and Political Oppression to take part in the rally. Additionally, Owen Frassetto, a sophomore at GVSU and YDSA Vice President, spoke at the campus rally.  

“We must advocate for a single state in Palestine as well as the lands which are currently known as Israel,” Frassetto said. “We must advocate for a united Palestine where all of its citizens, Palestinian, Jewish, Christian, so on, they (can) all live in equality.” 

No counter-protest was formed other than one GVSU student, sophomore Ryan Flynn, who sat opposite the rally with an Israeli flag taped onto the back of his computer. Flynn said he was not there to argue with the rally, but instead to condemn the actions of Hamas and defend Israel’s existence. 

“We will continue to protest, quietly, peacefully, respectfully until every one of our hostages are returned,” Flynn said. “I don’t want to see or be subjected to the death of innocent Palestinians either. Genocide shouldn’t go either way. I stand for the people of both sides.”

Flynn said he sat in support of his “Jewish brothers” and community. 

“The way I see it, if maybe just one Jewish kid is scared of what they’re seeing and they see me out here, see my star (on the Israeli flag), or my necklace (of the star of David) and they feel a little safer, then it’s all worth it,” Flynn said. 

Flynn and the protestors did not interact throughout the demonstration. The rally was peaceful, leading to discussions within the community about what was happening politically and emotionally abroad and in the U.S. 

One person rode by the protest on a skateboard and said “F*ck Israelis, f*ck the Jews…. Well, not all the Jews, but like some of them.” The student was not affiliated with the rally directly, but the statement echoes Flynn’s concerns regarding antisemitism rising from the conflict. 

Following the events of Oct. 7, antisemitism and Islamophobia are on the rise. Reuters reported data from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) “showed a 388% rise in antisemitic incidents in the U.S.” from Oct. 7 to Oct. 23 compared to last year. Additionally, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) “received 774 complaints of incidents motivated by Islamophobia and bias against Palestinians and Arabs” from Oct. 7 to Oct. 24. 

As the war continues in Israel and Gaza, many people are advocating for individuals to stay up to date on the current events. 

Abdel-Moemen said the issue in Israel in Gaza “doesn’t just go back to October 7” and that Palestinians have faced “75 years of occupation.” She wants people to continue to read the long history of the issue and where the issue is today. 

“I think I would just encourage other students to really try and read about the topic, hear both perspectives,” Abdel-Moemen said.