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On Tuesday, September 24, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., University of Alabama students will gather on the Quad to demonstrate in solidarity with Palestinians, in response to the escalating violence in Gaza and the West Bank. The event, organized by a group of student activists, seeks to raise awareness about what they describe as “genocidal actions” being carried out against Palestinians and to call attention to the University’s ties to defense contractor Lockheed Martin.
The student group, expressing outrage and sadness, has stated their opposition to the ongoing violence, particularly pointing to Israel’s military actions over the past year. According to the group, Israeli forces have killed over 40,000 people in Gaza and at least 580 in the West Bank during this period. They argue that the University of Alabama’s connections to Lockheed Martin and other defense-related entities indirectly contribute to this violence.
“We are a group of outraged and saddened students at the University of Alabama who can’t stand by as our institution provides support to those facilitating genocide in Gaza,” the organizers said in a statement. “As UA students, we stand against this unconscionable violence and with those who are suffering in the Occupied Territories.”
The demonstration will feature speakers, chanting, and calls for action. Among the demands presented by the organizers are:
- The immediate cessation of Lockheed Martin recruitment on campus.
- The renaming of Hewson Hall, named after Marillyn Hewson, the former CEO of Lockheed Martin, whose $15 million stock donation in 2018 is tied to UA’s relationship with the defense contractor.
- Full transparency regarding the University’s endowment investments, particularly those linked to corporations involved in the Gaza conflict, with a call for divestment.
- A halt to all Department of Defense-funded research conducted by the University.
- A public statement from the University calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
The student group’s frustrations are also rooted in a 2023 audit showing that the University of Alabama’s Board received $11.7 million in Department of Defense funding last year.
The demonstration on Tuesday will be a part of broader nationwide protests against U.S. support for Israel’s military activities. The event will include chants and expressions of solidarity with the Palestinian people, particularly those in Gaza. Organizers expect a strong turnout as they seek to pressure the University to respond to their demands.
As tensions rise internationally, the students hope their actions will draw attention to the issue locally, urging the University of Alabama to rethink its affiliations and take a public stand on the violence in Gaza.
