Pro-Palestinian protesters set up encampment at Johns Hopkins University
BALTIMORE - Pro-Palestinian protesters chanted and sang Monday evening before setting up tents on the campus of Johns Hopkins University, despite being told to leave.
Over 100 demonstrators, most who appeared to be students, stood with Palestine at a peaceful rally on the Baltimore campus off North Charles Street. Then, joining universities across the country, the protesters set up tents for an encampment, expecting to stay until their demands are met.
The Hopkins student protestors, like those camped at other colleges, are calling for their institution to disinvest from Israel as outrage grows over the mounting death toll in Gaza, challenging institutions' support for free speech. The number of arrests at campuses nationwide is approaching 1,000.
One demand is for Hopkins to cut ties with Tel-Aviv University in Israel, where a two-year Masters of Arts program partnership was established in recent years.
"The students want change, you know," community member Helena St. Tearer said. "I hope they see this as an opportunity rather than a crisis."
The demonstration was organized by a group called the "Hopkins Justice Collective." Members of that organization declined to be interviewed on camera and told those in attendance not to speak with the media.
"I hope they see this as an opportunity to divest and to make the right move," Tearer said.
This was the second Pro-Palestinian protest at JHU within a week.
"In some aspects, like, I think it's like a Freedom of Speech, like letting people express what they want to hear, but I also think it's very hard for students in this university, a part of the Jewish community, that is definitely feeling unsafe," Johns Hopkins student Drew Bigelow said.
Another Hopkins student from Israel, who didn't want to give her name, attended the rally holding an Israel flag.
She was disheartened to see the rally on the campus and says she attended to generate awareness about the Israeli hostages and bloodshed since the war in Gaza broke out.
"I hope that by standing here with the flag some people get the understanding that we are not monsters," she said.
Colleges differ in approach to encampments
Universities have differed in their approach on how to clear out encampments as commencement ceremonies near. Some institutions are continuing negotiations, while others are turning to force and ultimatums that have resulted in clashes with police.
Dozens of people were arrested Monday during protests at universities in Texas, Utah and Virginia, while Columbia said hours before a takeover of Hamilton Hall that it had started suspending students.
Violence broke out this past weekend at UCLA in California where pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel groups breached a physical barrier. More than 100 protesters were arrested last week on the campus of Columbia University in New York City, where the encampment demonstrations began.
Northwestern University near Chicago said it reached an agreement with students and faculty representing the majority of protesters. It allows peaceful demonstrations through the end of spring classes, but only one aid tent may remain mounted.
