MSU students set up encampment to pressure university to divest from Israel

Michigan State University students joined students across the nation in setting up an encampment on campus Thursday to pressure the university to divest in Israeli-related investments in its endowment amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

The students said they were negotiating with campus police, who informed them that the encampment violated university policies. About 25 tents were set up in the People's Park, between Wells Hall and the MSU International Center.

But students said they planned to stay at the site in solidarity with Palestinians until MSU divests in Israel.

"I am willing to continue my fight and advocacy and I am hoping the university chooses to honor Spartan values rather than silence us," said Saba Saed, an MSU student with the MSU Arab Culture Society. "It's very important for us to stand in solidarity with anyone that is going through a genocide. Second, it's the Spartan thing for me to do ... it's true to our values. Most importantly, I want us to not be funding into apartheid and genocide and to stand our ground."

The MSU board has an ordinance preventing camping on campus property unless camping is tied to an official campus event, university spokeswoman Emily Guerrant said. A permit can be sought, but without one violations are subject to a misdemeanor citation. MSU police made organizers aware of the permit requirement, and organizers are believed to be seeking one, Guerrant added.

“The students are exercising their First Amendment rights and free speech rights, which we fully support,”  Guerrant said. “It has been very peaceful.”

But Robyn Hughey, executive director of the Hillel Jewish Student Center at MSU, called the encampments "deeply concerning and problematic."

"Students have a right to protest, but they do not have the right to intimidate or threaten Jewish students," Hughey said. "Our most important priority is keeping Jewish students safe — first, foremost and always. The university has indicated that the protesters will be required to obtain a permit from the Board of Trustees to continue their encampment. It is my hope that the board and administration will enforce the universities own ordinances as it continues to balance safety with free speech."

The MSU encampment comes as students were taking final exams and more than 10,000 students were preparing to graduate, with commencement ceremonies beginning Friday. It also comes as Jews are in the midst of celebrating the seven-day Passover holiday, which began Monday at sundown.

It is the second encampment this week to pop up on a Michigan university campus. Students at the University of Michigan set up dozens of tents on the Diag on Monday, held a rally and said they would not leave until university officials divest in companies with ties to Israel.

Organizers say the encampments are also to support Palestinians living in Gaza, where government officials said an estimated 34,000 Palestinians have been killed. About 130 Israeli citizens remain hostages by Hamas since the militant group launched a surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7 that killed about 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians. Israeli officials have rejected claims of genocide and countered that the Oct. 7 attack on Israel was genocide.

Across the country, tensions are escalating as college students are setting up protest encampments, leading to arrests of protesters at Columbia University in New York and Yale University in Connecticut. Harvard University closed the hub of its campus, Harvard Yard, until Friday in anticipation of student protests. Columbia University President Nemat Shafik is facing calls for her resignation after calling in police who arrested dozens of people.

MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz, in office for less than two months, showed up to speak with the protesters, which included community members, according to Guerrant.

"He has been meeting with many of the student organizations and wanted to get over there and hear from them and why they feel it is important to demonstrate," Guerrant said. "He supports their right and ability to protest."

Among the demonstrators was Laura Sager, a board member of the Peace Education Center of Greater Lansing. She said that the encampment that was set up at 5:30 a.m. had grown to more than 100 people by late morning as students were finishing exams and expected more as community members finish their work day.

She said police were talking to students about the permanence of the encampment, saying that it was an arrestable offense to have the tents up.

"There is a group here that will stand firm," said Sager. "There are people here willing to be arrested if absolutely necessary. We hope the trustees won't further embarrass themselves by attempting that. But we are here with resolve."

She said she was willing to be arrested.

"I stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine and people of Gaza and the horrific and brutal attacks, mass murder, starvation, intentional destruction of a community and it is the least I can do as a person who cares about human rights and international law ..." said Sager, a mother and grandmother who lives in East Lansing.

Thursday's encampment was organized by the Hurriya Coalition MSU, a coalition of more than 20 registered student organizations seeking justice for Palestine by pressuring the university for divestment.

kkozlowski@detroitnews.com