Pro-Palestine protest at UNL stays calm amid violent demonstrations nationwide

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Demonstrators gathered at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on Wednesday to protest the Israel-Hamas war.

Over the course of the day, hundreds of people attended the protest, which lasted from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

UNL student Anna Synya, an organizer of the protest, said the protesters are “concerned for our fellow students who are being murdered.”

“Every university in Gaza has been bombed and destroyed,” she said.

At the rally’s peak, about 100 people were there.

They chanted slogans like “Free, free Palestine” and took aim at Nebraska’s senior senator: “Deb Fischer, you can’t hide. We charge you with genocide.”

Users of the NOW Local News App submitted several videos of the protest.

On Tuesday, organizers of the protest released a list of demands.

They want UNL to disclose any investments in Israel, to end the study abroad program there and to stop receiving grants from the Israeli government.

It was a peaceful demonstration — a much different scene than the clashes between police and protesters in other states.

Both the university and the protesters said they took steps to keep the protest peaceful.

“The leaders of the event have met with campus administrators and have been informed that the event should not jeopardize public safety, disrupt our academic activities and campus operations,” Chancellor Rodney Bennett said in an email to staff. “Further, they have been informed that the university will not allow the use of tents or establishment of an encampment.”

Representatives of Nebraska’s Muslim community were also at the event. An Elkhorn imam said he was moved by the students.

“These are the truth seekers, the truth fighters,” Mohamad Jamal Daoudi said. “And I’m really happy to be here with them, and I look at them with all the hope.”