VESTAL, NY (WIVT/WBGH) – Binghamton University students and community members who oppose Israel’s war in Gaza marked the anniversary with a protest and march.
Protesters marched in front of the library this morning in support of Palestine.
One of the student organizers is a graduate student named Travis who declined to give his last name. He says the demonstration is to commemorate two years of genocide in Palestine and that Binghamton University and the United States as a whole are complicit in providing funds to Israel.
Travis says some students were unhappy that the protest was taking place on the Jewish holiday.
“We’ve gotten a little bit of backlash, some people are upset about this. But at the end of the day, we decided to move forward, and we have several very helpful Jewish organizers here, some of whom will speak. We want to show that the rights of the Palestinian people are intertwined with the rights of all people. No matter what day we want to come out and show strength,” Travis said.
Travis says that while today marks two years since the attack, Palestinians have been victims for more than 77 years. He says this protest was a call from students for the university to get rid of Israel.
Binghamton University issued the following statement:
Today marks the anniversary of the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas against Israel, a day of deep mourning for many in our community. Even if carried out peacefully, holding a protest on this solemn day was seen by many as deeply insensitive.
Binghamton University remains committed to freedom of expression while maintaining a campus environment free of disruption. The University rejects all forms of anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, racism, hatred and prejudice, and we will not tolerate threats or incitement of violence against any individual or group. Any individual or group found to have violated these standards will be held accountable under University policy and, where applicable, the law.
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