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Anti-war protests take to the streets, courts after encampment

George Copeland | 5/9/2024, 6 p.m.
For the second Monday in a row, Richmond stirred with activity from anti-war, pro-Palestenian protesters, who marched down the city’s ...
Sereen Haddad, a second-year student at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), addresses a crowd during a protest on Thursday, May 2, outside VCU’s James Branch Cabell Library. She and others shared recollections regarding events on Monday, April 29, when VCU deployed police at a pro-Palestinian protest. Photos by Julian Tripp Hillian

For the second Monday in a row, Richmond stirred with activity from anti-war, pro-Palestenian protesters, who marched down the city’s busy streets in what was the latest development since the encampment at Virginia Commonwealth University ended.

A crowd gathered in Monroe Park on Monday afternoon before marching Downtown to the Richmond office of U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine to deliver a letter of grievance.

The letter calls on Sen. Kaine and other elected leaders to demand a ceasefire in the military conflict in Gaza and for American universities and businesses to divest any deals or connections with the Israeli government.

“This fight is not over until Palestenians get the freedom they deserve and the justice they deserve,” said VCU student Sereen Haddad, speaking from the back of a pickup truck, megaphone in one hand and her other arm in a sling due to injuries sustained during the police response to the encampment. “We will not be silent.”

A statement from Sen. Kaine’s office emphasized his belief that “people have the right under the First Amendment to express their beliefs on issues that matter to them and they should do so in ways that follow local and federal laws.”

Isabella Cofield (wearing glasses), a second-year student at Virginia Commonwealth University, gathers with others Thursday, May 2, outside VCU’s James Branch Cabell Library. During the gathering, the crowd chanted, “The people united will never be defeated,” and “Disclose, divest, we will not stop, we will not rest.”

Isabella Cofield (wearing glasses), a second-year student at Virginia Commonwealth University, gathers with others Thursday, May 2, outside VCU’s James Branch Cabell Library. During the gathering, the crowd chanted, “The people united will never be defeated,” and “Disclose, divest, we will not stop, we will not rest.”

The statement also mentioned his constant dialogue with Virginia residents about the conflict since it began.

“(Sen. Kaine) has publicly and repeatedly called for a deal to release the hostages taken by Hamas and establish a ceasefire in Gaza,” the statement read.

“He has also advocated for more humanitarian assistance into Gaza and that U.S. weapons transfers to Israel prioritize defensive needs (...) rather than weapons that could further escalate the conflict.”

The march was only the latest development in this effort after the encampment was dispersed by a combination of VCU, Virginia State and Richmond police. Organizers of the encampment, which was built on the lawn of the Cabell Library on VCU’s Monroe Park campus, returned to the grounds last Thursday to criticize the college’s response.

Organizers and speakers also shared their new demand for VCU leadership, the resignation or removal of VCU President Michael Rao, alongside their previous calls to disclose and divest any partnerships or support for Israel.

They also condemned VCU’s choice to use police to disperse the gathering.

“I can no longer align myself with an administration that is complicit to genocide, and

willing to brutalize students like myself who oppose apartheid and demand divestment,” said Selma Ait-Bella, a student protester. “Shame on you, Michael Rao!”

When reached out for a response, VCU press officials referred to a statement from Dr. Rao the university released last Tuesday after the encampment was removed.

“While our community cherishes the right to peaceful protest, setting up structures on our campus lawn violated our policy,” Dr. Rao stated. “I deeply appreciate those who peacefully expressed their views and the efforts of our staff during this time.”