In a show of solidarity and protest against the ongoing conflict in Gaza, more than 100 participants, including UNC students and community members, gathered on Friday for a "Gaza Solidarity Encampment" at the heart of UNC-Chapel Hill's campus. The event, organized by the group "UNC Students for Justice in Palestine," aimed to raise awareness and demand transparency from the university regarding any investments and funding connected to Israel.

Sylvie, a doctoral student in sociology and one of the participants, expressed disappointment in what she perceived as a lack of adequate response from the university administration. She stated, "We are protesting our own university's financial investment in an undisclosed number of firms for Israeli goods and services."

The encampment, consisting of over two dozen tents, was set up at Polk Place around noon on Friday, highlighting the group's call for an end to the violence in Gaza and making specific demands to the university. After engaging in discussions with UNC leaders, the group eventually dismantled their tents at 1:30 p.m., although some protesters remained at the site well past 4 p.m.

While the majority of the demonstration remained peaceful, a small group of counter-protesters briefly engaged with the pro-Palestinian group before leaving after a few minutes. Despite this, the participants focused on educating and supporting each other during the event, sharing knowledge and strategies to ensure personal and collective safety.

Two graduate students from Duke University, Abi and Mel, joined the UNC group to demonstrate their solidarity. They expressed their intention to showcase unity and strength in addressing the issue, as they had previously organized a similar event on Duke's campus earlier that day.

The demands for divestment made by the students are exclusive to their respective universities, but the overarching message from all participants is a plea to stop the violence in Gaza. Mel emphasized, "It's about the schools that we've lost in Gaza... the students, the scholars, the mothers, children, fathers, families that we've lost. So by banding together, we're hoping that our voice can be amplified."

Similar pro-Palestinian encampments have sprung up across colleges and universities nationwide, where students and activists aim to bring attention to the situation in Gaza. Throughout the demonstration at UNC, campus police officers were present to monitor the situation and ensure the safety of all attendees.

Kasey Kinsella, representing Jewish Voice for Peace Triangle NC Chapter, joined hundreds of demonstrators during a Shabbat Service, a gathering that took place during Passover, a significant holiday for the Jewish community. Kinsella emphasized the group's support for Palestinians and stated, "We are pro-Palestinian, we are pro-Jewish people. And for us, our Jewish faith has nothing to do with the ethno-state of Israel."

The encampment created a space for people to come together, with participants working on laptops, playing music, and holding signs with messages such as "What have you done to stop the genocide?" and "Gaza solidarity encampment." The protesters expressed their determination to make their voices heard and to advocate for peace and justice in the conflict-ridden region.