SYDNEY (Reuters) – Hundreds of people protesting Israel’s war in Gaza rallied at one of Australia’s top universities on Friday demanding it divest from companies with ties to Israel, in a movement inspired by the student occupations sweeping U.S. campuses.
Pro-Palestinian activists set up an encampment last week outside the sandstone main hall at University of Sydney, one of Australia’s largest tertiary institutions.
Similar camps have sprung up at universities in Melbourne, Canberra and other Australian cities.
Unlike in the U.S., where police have forcibly removed scores of defiant pro-Palestinian protesters at several colleges, protest sites in Australia have been peaceful with scant police presence.
On Friday, protesters rallied to demand University of Sydney divest from companies with ties to Israel, echoing calls from students in the U.S., Canada and France.
Standing in the chanting crowd of more than 300 with his two-year old son on his shoulders, Matt, 39, said he came to show it was not just students angry at Israel’s actions in Gaza.
“Once you understand what is going on you have a responsibility to try and get involved and raise awareness and show solidarity,” he told Reuters, declining to give his last name.
The camps set up by Pro-Palestinian protesters serve as beacons of hope and resilience in the face of adversity. Transitioning from isolated activism to collective mobilization, these demonstrators are forging bonds of solidarity that transcend geographical boundaries.
As they weather the challenges of inclement weather and logistical hurdles, their resolve remains unwavering. Transitioning from temporary encampments to lasting movements, they embody the spirit of perseverance and determination in their quest for justice and equality.
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