(WATE) From WKRN: Student protests over the Israel-Hamas war have popped up at college campuses across the country after demonstrations started at Co
(WATE)
From WKRN: Student protests over the Israel-Hamas war have popped up at college campuses across the country after demonstrations started at Columbia University in New York City.
At the University of the South, also known as Sewanee, protests began early on Tuesday, April 30.
“At present, today’s demonstration has not disrupted the normal operation of the University. No University facilities have been damaged,” states a university email to students on Tuesday. “However, as the demonstration goes on, the University will continue to monitor the gathering and assess the situation for any activities that might jeopardize student safety or interrupt the normal University activities.”
“This is not an anti-war protest, this is an anti-genocide protest,” said Max McCloud, a student at the University of the South. “Standing in solidarity with other campuses across the country is really important because if we can show unity between small, liberal arts colleges in the south, that shows that this isn’t just a Sewanee thing.”
On Wednesday, May 1, six students remained on top of the university’s All Saints’ Chapel.
“We are not lifting our occupation of All Saints’ Chapel until our demands are met or we’re forcibly removed,” said Xan Mihalas, a student at the University of the South.
They’re requesting that the university discloses where their $400 million endowment goes, as well as demanding the university divests in companies that manufacture weapons used against Palestinians.
“I can’t sit in a classroom and learn about issues and then not do anything,” said McCloud. “I can’t learn, but be complacent because that is exactly what allows genocide to continue.”
A statement from the university reads, “The University of the South supports the constitutional right to assemble and to speak freely and strives to create an environment where these rights can be safely and peacefully exercised—as is happening currently. On the specific issues raised by the protestors, the University is having conversations with the group and is listening to their concerns.”
Meanwhile, in Nashville, Vanderbilt University officials said they’re aware of a small number of tents on campus in protest, but that students are following policy and have not been disruptive.
News 2 reached out to Belmont University, Middle Tennessee State University, and Austin Peay State University. All three said there have not been signs of protest on their campuses.
