Sofia D. | Red Phoenix correspondent | Minnesota–

For the last two days, members of the American Party of Labor have been participating in an ongoing die-in at Macalester College, organized by the Mac for Palestine Coalition, demanding that the college call for a ceasefire, that it ends institutional relationships with Hebrew University and University of Haifa, and for protection from all administrative retaliation against participating activists. 

While administration has still refused to acquiesce to the demands regarding study abroad programs and a ceasefire resolution, they have publicly committed to not retaliating against students engaged in peaceful protest, or against any staff or faculty that publicly expresses support for said students. This is a major victory for the rights of student activists, and for supporters on the staff and faculty of the college who have up to this point been unable to speak up for fear of retaliation.

“We demand that Macalester end its institutional relationship with universities that are actively developing military strategy and have at various points trained intelligence specialists. We demand the Center for Study Away formally recommends the termination of Macalester’s official programs with Hebrew University and the University of Haifa in writing to President Rivera.” (Mac for Palestine Coalition, via Instagram)

The action began early Tuesday morning, and is planned to continue until the Center for Study Away meets the organizers’ and protesters’ demands.

This action has its origin in a petition from last semester, calling on Macalester’s current student body and alumni to support the termination of these programs. Administration met with leaders in Mac for Palestine early on, but did not acquiesce to any of their demands. In response, Mac for Palestine has held various rallies and protests, sending the message to administration that they cannot ignore students any longer.

Representatives of Administration and the Center for Study Away have had several open meetings with leaders of Mac for Palestine throughout the die-in, in which they promised the protesters a meeting with the President of the College, but have not yet agreed in writing to any of the demands. These demands include: neutrality towards student, staff, and faculty protesters with regards to academic or financial retaliation; a call for ceasefire from Macalester’s Center for Study Away (CSA); and a recommendation from the CSA to the administration to end Study Away to Hebrew University and University of Haifa. 

In addition to student organizing, the community at large has been active in supporting the people of Palestine. The St. Paul City Council has passed a ceasefire resolution after tireless organizing from the Twin-Cities’ Free Palestine Coalition, joining many other municipalities in the U.S. in calling for a ceasefire for the safety and health of those in Gaza. This compounds with Minneapolis’ passing of a ceasefire resolution last month. In the Minnesota state primary election, 20% of Democratic voters selected “uncommitted” in the presidential race in protest of Biden’s continued aid to Israel and reluctance to push for a ceasefire.

At this moment, Macalester administration has not threatened any retaliation, and has expressed a willingness to let students occupy the building through the night. The American Party of Labor stands in solidarity with the Mac for Palestine Coalition, and applauds their tireless organizing for academic divestment. The APL encourages these activists to keep fighting, to continue to build relationships with the broader Palestinian and BDS movement, and to stay focused and militant.

Categories: Education, U.S. News