Protesters march carrying signs supporting a “boycott, divest, sanction” movement, among other anti-war sentiments. Students and community members gathered and marched in support of a ceasefire to the Israel-Hamas war on Feb. 10, 2024. (Alex Hernandez/Emerald)
A “protest to divest” rally organized by University of Oregon Students for Justice in Palestine, UO Jewish Voice for Peace, Young Democratic Socialists of America, Springfield-Eugene Anti-Imperialist Coalition and Party for Socialism and Liberation, took place outside of the Erb Memorial Union Amphitheater at 1 p.m. on Feb. 10.
SJP has previously demanded the university cut ties with companies that are affiliated with the Israeli government including Sabra Hummus, Starbucks Coffee, Subway, Amazon and Domino’s Pizza.
Protesters marched through the streets of Eugene and called upon UO President John Karl Scholz to cut ties with companies that activists claim are in support of the Israeli government.
Following recent altercations with police at a prior pro-Palestine protest in January, SJP boosted security efforts to ensure a peaceful protest. Measures included a specialized team providing medical services and a team known as “peacekeepers” that were designated to communicate and de-escalate any altercations between protesters and Eugene police officers.
The Eugene Police Department deployed over 20 police officers on bicycles and at least two vehicles that trailed behind the protest to supervise and protect protesters. SJP also had multiple members on bikes to ride ahead of the protesters and block traffic, as well as to scout out any potential counter protesters.
“Our duties are to hold all in one tight, nonviolent, peaceful, [to] make sure everyone stays positive [and] together,” protester Zay North said.
SJP also brought in “legal observers” from the National Lawyers Guild, who were tasked with observing the actions of protesters and police officers to provide eye-witness court testimony in the event of any altercations.
There were no organized counter protests; however, many individuals on bikes and looking out apartment windows expressed their pro-Israeli sentiments and feelings against the rally. Numerous members of the Theta Chi fraternity exited their house and verbally harassed protesters on E 19th Ave.
One individual, who requested not to share his identity, rode his bike along the route counter protesting against rally goers, cursing at protesters and expressing his feelings on the many soldiers that have died during past conflicts in the Middle East.
“It’s not our war… I don’t want to watch more flags at half mast because our sons and daughters are coming home in wooden boxes. When they do this, telling America we have to help free Palestine, what they don’t realize is that means that we have to get involved,” he said.
The individual proceeded to threaten further escalation, stating, “There’s 26 other boys showing up and giant trucks and we’re going to shut it down.”
However, despite the threat, no further counteraction was taken.
Approximately 200 protesters were in attendance and many held signs that read “Boycott. Divest. Sanction. End the Occupation” and “Free Palestine.” The rally hosted seven guest speakers, each sharing what they believed was the importance of UO’s disaffiliation from the companies.
The two mile protest route wove throughout the west end of the UO campus before pausing in the middle of Alder Street. for speakers to encourage members from many UO fraternity and sorority houses to join the protest.
The route continued through residential neighborhoods before passing Global Scholars and Unthank residence halls. Protesters then marched through the EMU and back to the amphitheater for closing statements. The protest was approximately two and half hours in length.
Protesters, some with their children beside them, held red-dyed body bags as a representation of children killed in Palestine.
“12,000 children are dead. That could be us, just because we have different skin tones doesn’t make us different,” protester and mother Kat Stripes said.
Many Graduate Teaching Fellow Federation members were also in attendance, directing protesters on bikes and marching alongside the protesters.
“It’s in our interest as a labor union to be in solidarity with the Palestinian liberation movement,” GTFF member Scott Lambert said. “We [labor unions] try to make it our mission to be in solidarity with as many workers as possible.”
SJP said that they will hold weekly events leading up to the March 11 Board of Trustees meeting — during which SJP has announced a sit-in protest. The date of the next SJP event has yet to be announced.
