The New School faculty members set up an encampment on the university’s Manhattan campus in protest against Israel’s offensive in Gaza. They demanded divestment from 13 companies they claim are aiding Israel’s actions. The faculty also called for ending NYPD’s presence on campus and expunging disciplinary charges against students. The encampment was named after a professor killed in an Israeli airstrike. This protest came after over 40 students were arrested and dozens more were suspended by the university.
The faculty members criticized the school’s administration for their response to the students’ protest, accusing them of lies and of protecting their own interests rather than the students’. The Students for Justice in Palestine alleged that the university’s interim president provided false justification for the NYPD’s actions against students and called for a general strike to shut down school operations. They urged all students, faculty, and staff to refrain from participating in any labor for the New School and for faculty to refuse to submit final grades.
In response to the mass arrest of students, the faculty passed a vote of no confidence in the university’s leadership. They also demanded that charges and disciplinary actions against the over 2,000 student protesters across the country be dropped. The faculty-led encampment at the New School was the first of its kind in the US and they expressed hope that it would not be the last. They expressed gratitude to their students for leading the way and being their teachers.
The solidarity encampment erected by New School faculty members was an act of support for the students’ movement against Israel’s offensive in Gaza. The faculty members stood in solidarity with the students, demanding divestment and the end of disciplinary charges. They criticized the school’s administration for their response to the student protests and called for a general strike to shut down school operations. The faculty also passed a vote of no confidence in the university’s leadership and demanded charges against student protesters be dropped.
The protest at the New School highlighted the ongoing tensions surrounding Israel’s actions in Gaza and the response of educational institutions to student activism. The faculty-led encampment demonstrated a unified front against the university’s administration and its treatment of student protesters. The demand for divestment and ending disciplinary charges reflected a broader movement for social justice and solidarity with Palestine. The faculty’s actions set a precedent for future faculty-led protests in the US and showcased the power of collective action in advocating for change.
Overall, the New School faculty members’ solidarity encampment was a powerful demonstration of support for student activists and a statement against Israel’s offensive in Gaza. The protest highlighted issues of police presence on campus, the response of university administrations to student protests, and the importance of standing in solidarity with marginalized communities. The faculty’s actions reflected a commitment to social justice and a rejection of oppressive systems. The encampment marked a significant moment in the ongoing struggle for justice and equality, setting an example for future protests and collective actions in educational institutions across the country.
