Supporters Rally for Visiting Gazan Scholars at U. Chicago
About a hundred demonstrators braved the bitter cold on Tuesday to voice their concerns outside Stuart Hall at the University of Chicago. The reason for their protest? The perceived failure of the university to follow through on its promise to launch a Gaza Scholars at Risk initiative, inviting Palestinian academics to campus.
Protest and Silence
UChicago Alumni for Palestine and the school’s chapter of Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine (FSJP) organized the demonstration, with some protesters even entering the building with signs, lining the halls, and standing silently. Chants of “U. Chicago, shame on you! There is blood on your hands too!” and “Stop the war and occupation! Money for jobs and education!” filled the air.
Uday Jain, a postdoctoral social sciences teaching fellow and FSJP organizer, expressed disappointment at the administration’s lack of communication since the summer, despite some initial email exchanges. As global studies professor Callie Maidhof pointed out, this failure is a breach of trust with students, reflecting a pattern of unfulfilled promises by the university.
Broken Promises
The promise to host Palestinian scholars was a result of negotiations between the administration and student protesters during a Palestine solidarity encampment last spring. However, the administration’s inaction has left many feeling betrayed. According to emails obtained by WBEZ, Provost Katherine Baicker pledged to launch a “Gaza Scholars at Risk” program hosting up to eight scholars from Gaza for one-year terms, focusing on those facing direct risks from conflict.
Jeremy Manier, a University of Chicago spokesperson, clarified that the Scholars at Risk program remains focused on supporting scholars at risk and upholding academic freedom. He affirmed the intent to hire academics impacted by the conflict in Gaza through the existing program, with one professor from the West Bank already on campus.
Retaliation and Solidarity
Organizers allege that the university has retaliated against protected speech, evicting an Arab student and withholding degrees from five students. Another group, UChicago United, filed a complaint citing a hostile environment of anti-Palestinian racism.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with over 44,000 Palestinians killed since October 7, 2023, and no ceasefire in sight. The destruction of Palestinian education institutions, labeled as ‘scholasticide’ by the UN, highlights the urgency of supporting scholars at risk and upholding academic freedom.
In the face of adversity, the fight for justice and solidarity continues. As Maidhof aptly puts it, “If one university is attacked, let alone every single university in a place like Gaza, we are also not safe here.” The struggle for justice knows no boundaries, and the university administration must acknowledge its role in addressing these critical issues.
