SPOKANE, Wash. — A student movement across the nation reached the steps of Gonzaga University on Tuesday when more than 100 protestors marched through campus, chanting and holding signs in support of Gaza.
Students and staff at Gonzaga University walked out of class to demand the administration divest from companies that support Israel. The group gathered on campus and marched to College Hall to stand in solidarity with student movements nationwide and to advocate for the people of Palestine.
The walkout, led by the GU Community for Justice in Palestine, was completely peaceful.
Kevin Pinkelman, one of the student organizers, said the walkout called on Gonzaga to disclose the university's investment portfolio, end study abroad programs in Israel and cut all ties with companies that support Israel.
"We made our demands more concrete," he said. "It was less about spreading awareness because people are aware at this point. And it was more about getting them actually to take concrete action."
More than 100 students, staff members and community members took part in the walkout, which featured several speeches and a moment of silence.
"It was a huge turnout," Pinkelman said. "I couldn't be happier. But the amount of support we have even outside of the people here is really outstanding and inspirational."
Noralis Rodrigues-Coss, a faculty member at Gonzaga, was one of dozens of staff members who participated in the walkout. She said her commitment to social justice led her to participate in the march.
"If I teach about this in the classroom, I think it's also very important to me to be present [for] the moments in which they want to make those statements," Rodriguez-Coss said.
Student organizers said they hope to plan more events like Tuesday's walkout in the future.
Gonzaga University issued the following statement regarding the walkout:
Members of our community have asked the investment committee to disclose the investment portfolio and divest from arms manufacturers and Israeli-backed corporations. The administration will share these requests with the university's board of trustees and investment committee.
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