On Monday, Oct. 7, Students for Justice in Palestine led a student walk out to honor those who have died in Gaza. The DePaul University Public Safety Department and Chicago Police Department responded with the threat of arrest and trespassing charges even while the protest was being conducted peacefully. In response, DePaul Student Government Association (SGA) promised their support for student advocacy in a statement issued on Oct. 9.
“SGA members firmly believe students must feel welcome to take up space, express themselves, and advocate — as embodied by the life of Saint Vincent de Paul — without fear of retaliation,” SGA said in the statement.
In their statement, SGA declared their challenge of DePaul’s current demonstration guidelines, which they say make it extremely difficult for students to voice their concerns and ideas peacefully without the threat of punishment.
“Enforcing the space reservation requirement to hold demonstrations while restricting organizations’ ability to reserve spaces leaves students vulnerable to legal repercussions,” the statement read.
SGA cited the DePaul Divest Referendum in their advocacy, which passed in the spring 2024 election. The referendum mandates that SGA advocate for DePaul University to divest from companies and organizations that contribute to the suffering of the Palestinians for the duration of the 2024-2025 SGA session. The referendum question asked if students believed that the university should release their investment portfolio for public view.
“Ninety-one percent of the student population that voted in SGA’s election last spring voted ‘yes’ to the referendum question. The majority of DePaul’s students want the university to release to the public what they are putting their money towards,” said Kiersten Riedford, the chair of marketing and communication of SGA.
SGA plans to continue to support Students for Justice in Palestine in their activism efforts, along with other student organizations in light of recent kickback from DePaul’s administration.
“With the passing of the statement, SGA believes DePaul should not require students to reserve spaces on campus to demonstrate or protest on campus. SGA does not want a university community where students feel afraid to act or take on activism because of the institution,” Riedford said.
In closing their statement, SGA called on their colleagues in other branches of university government to speak up.
“We call on our colleagues in shared governance — Staff Council, Faculty Council, and those who make important decisions for DePaul — to speak out against this attempt to deny the DePaul community their right to create a sanctuary of lively discourse and bring the DePaul mission forward,” SGA said in the statement.
SGA and Public Safety leaders met to discuss concerns on Oct. 11. In a statement to The DePaulia, DePaul maintains that the demonstrations that took place on Oct. 7 did not meet DePaul’s demonstration guidelines.
“Those gathered on campus property did not have a reservation for the space. As a result, protestors were asked several times by Student Affairs and Public Safety to relocate to a nearby public walkway,” said Kristin Claes Mathews, DePaul’s senior director of strategic communication.
According to DePaul’s demonstration guidelines, “Events, including demonstrations, that require a space reservation must be registered ahead of time. This includes events held inside campus facilities or outside on campus grounds.”
“When protestors did not relocate after several requests, they were informed that remaining in the space could lead to arrest. At that point, protestors complied and continued their demonstration at the corner of Belden and Sheffield,” Claes Mathews said.
Claes Mathews reiterated DePaul’s commitment to its students.
“DePaul remains committed to nurturing a safe environment where our students, faculty, and staff can engage in meaningful dialogue as well as demonstration activities in accordance with the university’s policies,” Claes Mathews said.
Related Stories:
- Students for Justice in Palestine hold walkout on anniversary of October 7
- PHOTO GALLERY: CPD and Public Safety removed encampment, Coalition held rally
- BREAKING: SGA overwhelmingly passes referendum on divestment from Israel
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