On Thursday evening a group of protestors came together on Thompson Hall (T-Hall) Lawn in solidarity with Palestine, as well as crowds of students and demonstrators demanding change from universities across the country in their financial support of Israeli-based companies. The protests have been brought about since Israel’s reaction to an attack led by Hamas on Oct. 7, which has since claimed the lives of 34,979 Palestinians and 1,139 people in Israel.
The demonstration was in support of the several campus-wide demonstrations across the country, with one notable example taking place at Columbia University, which includes encampments of students and non-students alike. The protests have resulted in hundreds of arrests and even the cancellation of commencement ceremonies at the University of Southern California.
The protest at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) was organized by the UNH Palestine Solidarity Coalition (PSC), a group dedicated to speaking out about the ongoing crisis and standing in support of the people of Palestine. The event was co-sponsored by a multitude of other organizations, including but not limited to the UNH Muslim Student Association, UNH Black Student Union and the New Hampshire Youth Movement.
“We call for immediate disclosure from the administration regarding the investments of the University of New Hampshire,” the group said in a press release sent out on Thursday, “and demand divestment from institutions and companies directly contributing to the ongoing genocide, occupation and apartheid in Palestine.”
The press release also cited the university’s known ties to companies such as Elbit Systems and Sig Sauer, both defense and weapons manufacturers with ties to Israel. In an interview with New Hampshire Public Radio, Tania deLuzuriaga, a UNH spokesperson, stated that such divestment could impact research and student services, and that 0.5% of the referenced $475 million endowment goes to Israeli companies.
The protest included speeches from students, staff and local residents aiming to get their voices heard.
“I once looked to Israel as a protector as many other Jews did worldwide…” said Joshua Meyrowitz, a communications professor at UNH. “If Israel’s actions in Gaza were really about dismantling Hamas, I would not be calling for an immediate ceasefire.”
Meyrowitz emphasized that Israel’s actions shall not be done in the name of the Jewish people.
“We don’t even have the funding here for food, for housing…” said Adeena Ahsan, a member of the UNH PSC who organized the event. “Enough is enough.”
“If fossil fuels can be an important enough issue for them to do something about, why not this?” Ahsan asked in an interview with WMUR. “This is a human rights issue.”
Ahsan also emphasized their message of peace, and acknowledged the support of Jewish fellow organizers.
Ava Montalbano, a fourth-year communication major at UNH, said the whole situation has been really distressing, but she had been hoping to see something like Thursday’s demonstration organized.
“It feels like our representatives aren’t listening.” Montalbano said.
She went on to say it felt like the university was not responding to the issue at all.
“I’m sure there are students here that are being impacted more closely than we think,” she said. “You’re supposed to feel represented by your university, and cared for, and I feel like that’s lacking from our administration.”
