UNC Asheville Students Stand Against Violence, Mourn Lives of Palestinians

UNC Asheville students gathered across campus in an outpouring of grief and solidarity for the lives lost in the escalating violence in Palestine, turning a spotlight on the ongoing conflict thousands of miles away.

Students organized a chalking event, with the goal of putting names and faces to the often impersonal casualty statistics. A long list of names of Palestinians, aged six and under, who had lost their lives was chalked on the university’s quad in a silent, solemn memorial. The list that began near the entrance of the Ramsey Library winded across the quad, ending near the base of the flagpole. It was a heartrending reflection of the toll violence exacted on the most vulnerable.

“A lot of folks feel disempowered without having tangible actions to take part in,” said Blu Buchanan, an assistant professor at the university who organized the event. “I was really looking for folks to have a way to tangibly participate, to draw attention to the ongoing violence.” Buchanan stated.

Lobbying for Divestment

Mere days after the chalking event, the UNCA Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), a progressive organization dedicated to mobilizing and organizing the student body, demanded the campus divest funds from the military-industrial complex, claiming the university’s relationship with military suppliers were aiding in the violence in Palestine. Campus police watched the gathering, which was peaceful, from across the quad.

Alex Severa, the SDS president, further demanded full transparency into the UNC system’s private equity, which reportedly makes up 27 percent of its 10 billion dollar investment capital. Severa claimed that transparency was essential in ensuring that university funds weren’t inadvertently fueling conflicts abroad.

Voicing Contrary Opinions

Yet despite the grounds swell of students standing against the violence in Palestine, some offered alternate viewpoints. Jamie Johnson, an adjunct assistant professor, openly expressed her pro-Israeli perspective. Johnson argued that the media focus on the suffering of Palestinians overshadowed the plight of Israelis. “I think that the media is focusing on the suffering of Palestinians right now… and I think we’re not getting images of the suffering going on with hostages in the tunnels,” she said on the Ramsey Library steps.

UNC Asheville, like many campuses worldwide, is a microcosm reflecting the heated debates and painful impasse at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The battle for truth and justice is waged not just on the ground in the Gaza strip and West Bank, but also in the hearts and minds of people thousands of miles away.

Actions and Reactions

Shortly after the demonstration on the quad, pro-Palestinian banners were hung from trees outside Karpen Hall, reading: “End The Occupation In Palestine,” “I Ride The Nightmare Bus With Them” and “From Cop City To The Sea.” The banners were quickly removed by campus operations personnel, citing a campus policy that prohibits the hanging of signs or banners without prior approval.

Despite this, students remain committed to expressing their solidarity with the victims of the conflict. From their chalking event to their ongoing discussions and actions, UNC Asheville students continue to find ways to raise awareness and push for a more peaceful world.