MSU students set up encampment to pressure university to divest from Israel

Organizers say the encampments are also to support Palestinians living in Gaza, where health officials said an estimated 34,000 Palestinians have been killed. About 130 Israeli citizens remain hostages by Hamas since the militant group launched a surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7 that killed about 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians. Israeli officials have rejected claims of genocide and countered that the Oct. 7 attack on Israel was genocide.

Across the country, tensions are escalating as college students are setting up protest encampments, leading to arrests of protesters at Columbia University in New York and Yale University in Connecticut. Harvard University closed the hub of its campus, Harvard Yard, until Friday in anticipation of student protests. Columbia University President Nemat Shafik is facing calls for her resignation after calling in police who arrested dozens of people.

MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz, in office for less than two months, showed up to speak with the protesters, which included community members, according to Guerrant.

"He has been meeting with many of the student organizations and wanted to get over there and hear from them and why they feel it is important to demonstrate," Guerrant said. "He supports their right and ability to protest."

Among the demonstraters was Laura Sager, a board member of the Peace Education Center of Greater Lansing. She said that the encampment that was set up at 5:30 a.m. had grown to more than 100 people by late morning as students were finishing exams and expected more as community members finish their work day.

She said police were talking to students about the permanence of the encampment, saying that it was an arrestable offense to have the tents up.

"There is a group here that will stand firm," said Sager. "There are people here willing to be arrested if absolutely necessary. We hope the trustees won't further embarrass themselves by attempting that. But we are here with resolve."

She said she was willing to be arrested.

"I stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine and people of Gaza and the horrific and brutal attacks, mass murder, starvation, intentional destruction of a community and it is the least I can do as a person who cares about human rights and international law ..." said Sager, a mother and grandmother who lives in East Lansing.

Thursday's encampment was organized by the Hurriya Coalition MSU, a coalition of more than 20 registered student organizations seeking justice for Palestine by pressuring the university for divestment.