Pro-Palestinian Students Say “Don’t Go To Class or Work” This Week To Support Palestine
This morning, in just the first few hours of the Spring 2024 semester, various Pro-Palestinian student organizations announced an endorsement of a global strike for Palestine. ShutItDownNYU, a student organization devoted to demanding “an urgent ceasefire and non-cooperation with NYU Tel Aviv,” posted their support in an Instagram post.
The post contains a gallery of graphics detailing the week-long strike, which runs from January 21st to January 28th. According to the agenda, NYU Students should wear a Keffiyeh on campus, avoid class or work, stop buying “stuff” from the University, and stop visiting Starbucks. Instead, ShutItDownNYU demands students spend the week calling and emailing their representatives, posting on social media, and attending local events in support of Palestine.
This past November, NYU Spokesperson John Beckman rejected the demands of ShutItDownNYU, reiterating that “NYU is fully committed to the continued presence of the NYU Tel Aviv program, and the university believes that calls for academic boycotts are at odds with the fundamental tenets of academic freedom and the free exchange of ideas.”
At the time, the organization neglected this statement and continued daily protests outside of NYU’s Bobst Library and around campus. The protests required additional security assistance from the New York Police Department, who also responded to a physical altercation in November where a Jewish student was attacked.
Supporters of the strike at NYU have insisted that they “say no to genocide”, and will not be attending classes, regardless of the consequences. One student who wished to remain anonymous told The NYU Review, that last semester, professors had excused students from class to attend Pro-Palestine rallies. It is unclear if any professor has allowed similar privileges for this week’s strike.
Meanwhile, just two weeks ago, U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken rejected the accusation of genocide against Israel, calling the claim “meritless.” Nonetheless, students across college campuses are continuing to protest against Israel, targeting the world’s only Jewish state.
Some collaborating organizations, NYU’s Students for Justice in Palestine, and NYU’s Young Democratic Socialists of America posted the strike to their own accounts, with the shared objective of abiding by the “No Class”, “No Work”, and “No Spending” directives.
Sabrina Maslavi, the Vice President of Students Supporting Israel at NYU, told The NYU Review that the group has its own agenda planned, and “is working on inclusive tech-ins with alumni and faculty to educate any student who wants to learn about the history of Israel and the October 7 massacre.”
NYU has yet to comment on the strike.
The NYU Review is following the story for more updates.
