IUPUI students join nationwide movement with pro-Palestinian encampment

Pro-Palestinian protests are popping up on college campuses around the country, including an encampment at IUPUI.

A few students started the encampment, which they named the “Liberated Zone,” on April 26. One week later that number had grown to about 30 people camping out, with a steady stream of supporters visiting throughout the day, including faculty, staff, and community members.

Student Layth Abdulbari was among the first to set up the camp. Abdulbari said he wants the people of Gaza to know that every day they are garnering support and turning people to their side.

"We are so sorry for your losses, and we are in solidarity with you. And no matter what we will stand with you," he said.

For Abdulbari, who is part Palestinian, the protest is personal. He said he has family in the Gaza Strip and knows all too well what the loss of that family means.

“The reality though is, as of November, we've lost 50 family members. Hopefully, we haven't lost much more. But the reality is we probably have,” Abdulbari said.

According to NPR reporting in late February, the Gaza health ministry said the death toll in Gaza had surpassed 30,000. But officials say the actual number is much higher, and health officials in Gaza have long said they cannot accurately count the dead.

Abdulbari is also part Mexican. And he said for him the issue is larger than Israel’s occupation of Gaza.

“The reality is the same oppression that we face here in the United States, the same oppression that the Palestinians face in Gaza and the West Bank, is the same oppression that the indigenous people of Mexico face because Mexico is a settler colonial state, the United States is a settler colonial state. And the reality is they did displace indigenous populations,” Abdulbari said.

Having a multicultural background, Abdulbari said it's important that the encampment at IUPUI has the support of and includes people from all walks of life. And he said elders in the Palestinian community have taken notice.

"Essentially, they're like, we've never garnered this much support ever. And I think they see when the queer community, when the white folk and the black folk and other brown folk come together," he said.

The Palestine Solidarity Committee at IUPUI said their demands include a Muslim and Middle Eastern cultural center and divestment from Israel.

Abdulbari said they've talked with IUPUI administration regarding the encampment. They reserved the space for the camp, and Abdulbari said the administration is okay with them being there as long as things remain peaceful.

The scene stands in stark contrast with recent protests at Indiana University Bloomington, where the university changed its policy on encampments one day before pro-Palestine protesters began constructing one in Dunn Meadow, changing a decades-old rule and banning unapproved tents, posters and other structures.

57 people have been arrested at IU Bloomington as of Monday, April 29, and Indiana State Police has been criticized by some students, faculty and public officials for allegedly using excessive force.

Abdulbari said the demonstration at IUPUI has remained peaceful so far, but said there have been some hostilities towards those at the camp.

"The typical walking by, 'You all are terrorists,' 'Go back to your country,' 'You don't belong here,' 'Go back to where you came from,' the typical like, walking in asking questions and then being disingenuous,” Abdulbari said.

Abdulbari, a social work major, is well versed in de-escalating situations, a skill that's proven useful during the protest.

Contact WFYI digital producer and reporter Zach Bundy at zbundy@wfyi.org.