Article Summary –
Over 100 students and community members gathered at the University of Montana to protest against Israel’s actions in Gaza and called for the university to disclose its investments and divest from companies tied to Israel. This protest is part of a wave of student protests that began at Columbia University in mid-April and has spread across the country, leading to more than 1,600 arrests at 30 schools. The University of Montana Foundation, which manages the investment of endowed gifts to the university, issued a statement indicating that it prefers a more inclusionary approach to investment decisions and has no direct investments with weapons manufacturers.
Pro-Palestine Protests at University of Montana
Following the University of Montana’s clocktower signaling 1 pm, cries of “free, free Palestine” echoed across the campus Oval. Over 100 students and community members amassed at University Hall to decry Israel’s actions in Gaza, urging for the disclosure of the university’s investment details and divestment from corporations tied to Israel.
Organizing group, University of Montana Students for Justice in Palestine, aims to spotlight the atrocities in Gaza. The group’s organizer, Linnea, expressed frustration over U.S. taxpayer money and university funds being directed towards the conflict, implicating students.
Israel’s war in Gaza has led to the deaths of over 35,000 Palestinians, two-thirds being women and children, since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7. The high death toll has led to accusations of genocide. The demonstration at University of Montana follows a wave of student protests that started in mid-April at Columbia University and spread nationwide, even resulting in clashes with the police. Over 1,600 people have been arrested at 30 schools.
Demonstrators at UM marched around the Oval chanting “free Palestine,” with many writing messages on the sidewalk in support of Gaza and calling for an end to the war.
Another student, identified only as J, penned the message from his sign to the sidewalk: “Jewish Americans say never again for anyone.” He added, “As someone with family who escaped antisemitic persecution in Europe, witnessing genocide in Palestine compels me to advocate for peace.”
UM student Alex Anderlik, participant of the “Strike for Gaza” march, emphasized the importance of students’ involvement in real-world politics. These protests highlight the impact of universities’ investments and commitment of the people, he noted.
The University of Montana Foundation, an independent nonprofit managing the university’s endowed gifts, stressed its commitment to responsible investment stewardship while aiming for the highest returns. The foundation’s investment approach is inclusionary rather than divesting from specific market segments, and it clarifies it has no direct investments with weapons manufacturers.
Zooey Zephyr, a Democrat Representative for Missoula whose district encompasses the university, attended the protest in support of the students standing against Israel’s actions. Zephyr highlighted the importance of recognizing students’ protests as signs of societal issues requiring attention.
Counterprotester Jon Murphy, a Missoula resident, was also present, standing in support of Jewish individuals amidst growing antisemitism due to the war. Murphy would agree with the protestors if they were only demanding a ceasefire instead of advocating for divestment from Israel-linked corporations.
Linnea, the student organizer, clarified that Students for Justice in Palestine, consisting of Jewish, queer, and Indigenous students, opposes antisemitism and does not equate anti-Zionism with antisemitism.
The student group formed to express solidarity with Palestine after viewing disturbing footage from Gaza. The group, comprising about 20 members, organized the protest before the end of the academic year to show Montana that students and voters are concerned about these issues, Linnea added.
The group also expressed solidarity with students from Columbia University, the University of Texas at Austin, UCLA who were “brutalized” by police. However, Linnea stressed the focus should remain on Gaza, where war crimes are being committed, and functioning hospitals and universities no longer exist. Furthermore, 35,000 people have died, and 100 journalists have been murdered, a state of affairs Linnea asserts is unacceptable.
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