Wayne State students set up pro-Palestinian encampment

Students at Wayne State University (WSU) in Detroit rallied on Friday and demanded a complete divestment from companies and institutions connected to the Israeli government amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

A protected area, which includes several tents and a water station, sits in the middle of the university campus along Gullen Mall. About 50 students were there Friday morning. 

Similar pro-Palestinian encampments had been carried out at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan State University and colleges across the country during the spring. Police cleared out the U of M site this week.

Fighting in Gaza broke out on Oct. 7, after the Islamic militant organization Hamas attacked the southern portion of Israel.

“We are here together to represent a demonstration to demand a meeting with the Board of Governors and President [Kimberly Andrews] Espy to request divestment [of companies] who directly aid Israeli occupation genocide in Gaza,” said Zaynah Jadallah, a Wayne State University graduate. 

WSU protestors have named Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and General Dynamics as businesses with ties to the Israeli government. 

“A small encampment of pro-Palestinian protestors was set up on our campus,” said Matt Lockwood, WSU spokesman. “It is an evolving situation, with public safety on site to ensure that it is peaceful, safe and non-disruptive to our campus operations.”