Israel conflict protest heats up at WashU

ST. LOUIS (KMOX) The "Resist Wash U" student group and some community members led a march across the Washington University campus Saturday afternoon, calling for the university's divestment from Boeing and an end to Israel's genocide in Gaza.

In a release sent to the KMOX newsroom, protest organizers said "Following the massive successes of the Columbia University encampment over the past ten days, we have seen an inspiring wave of university occupations across the U.S. alongside a draconian escalation of violent police repression."

An encampment was set up briefly outside Wash U's Olin Library on Saturday before police from several agencies arrived and gave orders to disburse.

Saint Louis Board of Aldermen president Megan Green posted on social media that she viewed the protest as calm and thought police response was completely unnecessary.

St. Louis Congresswoman Cori Bush issued a statement, "As students exercise their right to protest, I urge university and local authorities to allow these courageous students and community members to continue their practice of non-violent civil disobedience."

Anti-Defamation-League regional director Jordan Kadosh sent KMOX a statement that reads in part: "While we welcome Washington University's swift and unequivocal response, let's be clear about what was being chanted. A call for intifada is a call for violent terrorism that targets civilians. Protests that use these terms don't alleviate suffering nor bring about lasting peace in a global or local setting."

As of Saturday evening, Washington University officials had not commented on the day's activities.

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