Demonstrators gather at UNLV over Middle Eastern conflict
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A protest scheduled for Wednesday at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, gathered a group of activists responding to the recent conflict in the Middle East.
Approximately 150 people were influenced by recent protests on college campuses across the U.S. and joined a gathering at the UNLV outdoor amphitheater. Participants said the protests were to support the Palestinian people during the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
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An unidentified man who called himself the protestors’ “liaison” said many of the students who participated had chosen to conceal themselves, citing online harassment. Multiple student organizations were responsible for the demonstration, he said, which was aimed at gathering information on UNLV finances and establishing whether or not the school was invested in weapons or surveillance used in the Middle Eastern conflict.
“We’re demanding to see if UNLV is supporting this,” he said. “If so, then we demand divestment from these companies.”
A group of approximately 10 counter-protestors gathered across the 30-foot police-established perimeter, as required by the university’s protesting policy. Those protestors chanted in Hebrew, “Am Yisrael Chai,” repeating a Jewish solidarity anthem which translates to “The People of Israel Live.”
“Take off your masks, cowards,” one man said to the group of protestors.
“It’s just insane that our Jewish students need to deal with that, and they’re just scared,” said Mareen, who was holding an Israeli flag during the demonstration.
The three-hour protest dispersed peacefully Wednesday afternoon, with some students threatening a hunger strike until financial information is released by the university. Officials from the Israeli American Council say they have a demonstration planned in Summerlin in the coming days.
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