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Emory University is entering its sixth day of protests since law enforcement officers arrested 28 pro-Palestine protestors hosting an encampment on the Quadrangle. University President Gregory Fenves sent an email to the Emory community yesterday morning, retracting his earlier statement that most of the arrested protestors were not affiliated with the University.
However, Emory community members have called for the resignation of Fenves, sparking media attention. The Oxford College Student Government Association passed a resolution calling for the removal of Fenves as president this morning. Additionally, the Student Government Association will vote tonight on sending a similar referendum to students. If passed, students will get to vote on whether they have confidence in Fenves’ ability to fulfill his role in light of recent events.
6:40 p.m.
Students For Socialism co-President Zachary Hammond (23Ox, 25C) explained the context of the Palestinian movement. He lamented “genocide Joe’s” lack of action in divesting from Israel in reference to U.S. President Joe Biden. Hammond said that politicians serve “imperialist interests” and never cared about free speech on college campuses.
Hammond added that University President Gregory Fenves brutalized students for a peaceful protest, so he will “lose [his] job.” Additionally, Hammond said the University still has study abroad programs in Israel and it is still funding a genocide.
The protest then ended, with Hammond stating that this was all the programming for today and urging students to organize and join groups like SFS and Emory Students for Justice in Palestine.
Approximately 100 demonstrators remained on the Quad and chanted “Biden, Biden you will learn, by the millions we’ll return” and “Resistance is justified when people are occupied.” They also chanted “Yemen, Yemen make us proud, turn another ship around,” in reference to Houthis attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea.
A speaker announced that SFS is hosting a walk-out tomorrow at 1 p.m. in Emory Village. Following her announcement, nearly all demonstrators dispersed from the Quad.
— Lauren Yee
6:15 p.m.
Around 150 protestors marched from Asbury Circle to the Quadrangle. Upon arriving at the Quad, the protestors chanted “Zionist Zionist go back home, Palestine is our home.” A demonstrator waved a Palestine flag in the middle of the crowd.
A speaker said despite repeated crackdrowns on demonstrations at Emory, protestors remain standing with “the power of the masses.”
“The students united, will never be defeated,” the demonstrators chanted.
A faculty member from Oxford College spoke at the protest, acknowledging the mental and physical fatigue supporters of the movement are currently facing. He said that he was “terrified” to speak in front of everyone but that it is important to “think critically about how to bring more people into the movement.” The speaker ended his speech by telling students that as they return home for the summer, “please know that the faculty and staff are supporting you.”
— Lauren Yee
5:49 p.m.
A person in the West Bank gave a speech, which one of the protestors translated by listening to the speaker through her phone.
The speaker from the West Bank said that everyone in Gaza appreciates the work of protestors in the United States.
“Do not stop this revolution against Biden and Netenyahu,” the speaker said, as translated by the protestor.
The speaker said the “massacre” did not start on October 7, 2023 but 75 years ago. They added that students and the media have shown the “devil face” of Zionists.
The speaker said that they are fighting for Palestinians all over the world and that they have “a right to return,” explaining that Palestinians have the right to resist and defend themselves in face of an occupation.
The demonstrator who was translating the speech concluded by saying that protestors at Emory University have been using their freedom of speech and urged University President Gregory Fenves to let them freely protest.
During the pro-Palestine protest at Asbury Circle, an unknown person played loud Israeli music from the second floor of Dobbs Hall. Open expression observers attempted to get him to stop but the music continued to play.
— Spencer Friedland
5:08 p.m.
A group of around 40 protestors, including organizers from Students for Socialism (SFS) and Emory Students for Justice in Palestine, gathered at Asbury Circle for a protest scheduled for 5 p.m. and chanted “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” and “Fenves, Fenves, you’re a liar, we demand a ceasefire.”
The first speaker of the day discussed the counterculture of the 1960s through the song “Woodstock” (1970) by Canadian-American singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, which she referenced as “a vehicle for social protest.” She said despite the pushback from law enforcement officers, students have shown incredible courage and resolve in protests.
“The student intifada cannot and will not be stopped,” the speaker said.
The crowd, which increased to around 60 protestors, cheered and clapped. The speaker then introduced a new chant: “Oink oink piggy piggy, we’re gonna make your lives s*****.”
A speaker from SFS who specializes in post-colonial studies said if people are angry against police brutality, they must be angry at the “apartheid state of Israel.” She also referred to University President Gregory Fenves as a “Zionist puppet” who must resign as president of Emory University.
— Lauren Yee
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