Michael Moynihan : “Antifa, Gaza Students Protest ‘March 4 Israel’ at UW”

On Thursday, news broke that a Christian church would be spearheading a pro-Israel march through the Gaza camp located on the University of Washington campus. This announcement was met with swift opposition from Antifa, who called for action against the march involving Jews and Christians.

A flier circulating for the counter protest urged participants to “wear bloc, come with friends, stay dangerous,” indicating a potentially volatile situation.

The University of Washington released a statement expressing concern over the likelihood of confrontations during the upcoming events. The university’s priority is the safety and security of its campus community and they have been in communication with both the encampment organizers and those planning counter protests to address potential risks.

The university urged the students to voluntarily dismantle the Gaza camp to ensure the safety of everyone on campus. They emphasized that constructive engagement on important issues is the preferred method of addressing concerns rather than encampments.

Antifa activists, along with anti-Israel groups, utilized barricades provided by the University of Washington to block students from freely moving around the campus. The university acknowledged the tense atmosphere on campus due to the presence of individuals with opposing views and the need to prevent confrontations.

Despite the removal of the barricades, reports surfaced of their reappearance in the encampment later in the week. The university has faced criticism for not taking more decisive action to address discrimination and violence surrounding the encampment since its establishment.

Incidents of harassment towards Jewish students, theft and destruction of Israeli flags, and the use of antisemitic slurs have marred the campus environment. Vigils and rallies in support of terrorists have also taken place, heightening tensions on campus.

Journalists covering the events have been assaulted, and some have had their equipment vandalized. Security measures were increased following these incidents to ensure the safety of all individuals on campus.

In response to the escalating situation, the University of Washington issued a statement calling for the encampment to disband voluntarily. University officials have been engaged in discussions with representatives of the encampment to find a resolution.

One of the encampment activists, Michael Moynihan, known for his involvement in previous protests, was seen negotiating with university administrators during the blockade of the quad area.

As the encampment continues, security concerns mount for both the university community and the individuals within the encampment. The university emphasised the importance of dialogue, understanding, and collective action in addressing contentious issues.