SFSU students join Gaza war protests, erect tent encampments

Student protestors erected nearly 20 tents and several canopies at San Francisco State University (SFSU) Monday, joining the dozens of pro-Palestinian encampments sprouting across U.S. college campuses demanding a cease-fire in Gaza and university divestment from companies with ties to Israel.

“It’s to make sure that after six months of this genocide, we still aren’t still silent,” said Ziniab Imtair, president of SFSU’s chapter of the General Union for Palestinian Students. “For the past couple of decades, students have been at the forefront of the Palestinian movement … this is highlighting that more than ever.”

The protestors set up the encampments in front of SFSU’s Cesar Chavez Student Center after more than 500 students, faculty and community members participated in a “Solidarity with Gaza” rally at the university’s Malcolm X Plaza. It’s the third California State University (CSU) campus to join the student-led movement.

“Specifically, we’re targeting divestment,” said Jacob, a student liaison with the encampment. Named “Students for Gaza SFSU,” the group is demanding the California State University system cut financial ties with Israel and companies profiting from the Israel-Hamas war, including Boeing, IBM and Qualcomm. He declined to give his last name due to fear of retaliation from the university.

“The students are fully restoring my faith in humanity and giving me so much hope,” said Omar Zahzah, an assistant professor in the university’s Ethnic Studies department. He announced the creation of a Faculty for Justice in Palestine chapter at the university. “The students have been taking the lead … we’re ready to follow their lead and continue to support them.” 

SFSU, in an email to El Tecolote, said it plans to honor the student’s right to protest peacefully while also preserving the safety of the campus. Meanwhile, the protestors said they do not plan to leave until their demands for divestment are met by the CSU system.

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