MINNEAPOLIS— It may be a homecoming in Gopher Nation, but another group on campus is focused on the war in Gaza.
Protesters gathered to continue their call for the University of Minnesota to withdraw financial investments from companies that support Israel.
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But Saturday’s demonstrations struck a calmer tone than earlier in the week. Eleven demonstrators were arrested after barricading themselves in a campus building, leading to the building being locked down.
The university says windows and security cameras were damaged.
The school’s president said Tuesday:
“We will continue to value individuals’ rights to peaceful protest and the expression of diverse views in a manner consistent with university policy and federal, state and local law.
What happened yesterday at Morrill Hall was not a form of legitimate protest. Threatening behavior and destruction of property have absolutely no place in our community,” she wrote.
Two of the people we spoke to Saturday were among those arrested and say it was worth it.
“I’m proud of what we did and I’m proud that we stood with Palestine regardless of the consequences,” said UMN alumnus Celia Numz.
The protests received support not only from current students, but also from former students.
“You know… they want to get mad at us for entering an administrative building… but the fact is they are bombing schools and universities in Gaza,” Numz added.
Some in the group say voicing their opinions is especially important on a day when thousands of others are coming to campus.
“We believe that there should be no homecoming as usual during this genocide,” said alum Annie Russell-Pribnow.
