Faculty Establish Pro-Palestine Encampment at New York’s New School for Social Research
Pro-Palestine students are advocating for a labor strike at the New School and a cessation of the school’s resources, both online and in person.
Last week, when pro-Palestine protestors at the New School for Social Research in Manhattan were detained by the NYPD, A.J. Medeiros managed to evade capture through an emergency exit.
The 25-year-old, with nothing but a wallet in his back pocket, walked home to Ridgewood, New York, though he is originally from Oakland, California.
Now in his 5th year of the BA/BFA dual degree program at the university, Mr. Medeiros returned to call for a labor strike and a halt to the school’s use of resources.
During a press conference in front of the New School, Mr. Medeiros stated, “We will not stop until the university pledges to truly safeguard its students by keeping law enforcement off campus.” “We will not cease until the charges against our friends are dropped, as they are fulfilling the moral duty to protest against genocide and demand divestment.”
The New School did not provide a response to inquiries.
On May 3, 59 individuals from the New School and New York University were detained and faced several charges including resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration, disorderly conduct, and criminal trespass.
Of those, 12 were released with summonses.
“It’s horrifying that the NYPD is being deployed against young people,” Mr. Medeiros remarked. “It is evident that they fear the potential of our collective strength.”
Despite the dismantling of the New School’s pro-Palestine student encampment by the NYPD, a Refaat Alareer Faculty Solidarity Encampment, featuring five pink and green tents, was present in the school’s lobby.
Mr. Alareer was a Palestinian who reportedly perished in an Israeli airstrike in Northern Gaza.
“There is no justification for any educational institution to support genocide,” Mr. Medeiros insisted. “This is why faculty have established the Refaat Alareer Faculty Solidarity Encampment, a pioneering initiative in the country.”
Scholasticide refers to the systematic destruction of an educational system.
Mr. Medeiros highlighted that part-time faculty have been informed by their union that striking is prohibited in their contract, despite over 75 faculty members at the New School.
“Currently, the school’s communications have advised faculty to act as they see fit,” he explained. “This underscores the importance of garnering departmental support for the faculty solidarity encampment and backing our demands at this time.”
The protesters are urging the New School to divest from Raytheon, Elbit, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Chevron.
“Investing in these weapons and surveillance companies implies complicity in the killing of Palestinians, along with individuals in Congo, Sudan, and Haiti,” Mr. Medeiros contended. “Funding these corporations equates to supporting the destruction of both the planet and its inhabitants. We cannot distance ourselves from this responsibility.”
Nearby at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) on West 27 Street, a similar encampment has been set up by protesters since April 25. However, on May 7, 50 demonstrators were detained as the NYPD believes they marched from Union Square Park to West 27th Street between 7th and 8th Avenue.
The investigation is ongoing, according to an NYPD spokesperson.
In a statement online, FIT President Dr. Joyce F. Brown stated, “The NYPD sought to maintain order and prevent further escalation of the rally. However, some students persisted in their occupation, resulting in police intervention. I am deeply saddened by this outcome. I strived to facilitate peaceful protests and open dialogue for all members of our community, regardless of their stance on the issue. Sadly, some rejected the possibility of dialogue or coexistence.”
After an October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel by Hamas, national calls for universities to disclose and divest from Israel began.
In November 2023, Hamas released 105 hostages out of 253 they had captured. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators argue that Israel’s response to the October 7 attack on Hamas in Gaza aims to eradicate all Palestinians in the region. Israel is urging Hamas to release all captives in exchange for a temporary ceasefire.
