AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) – A sign symbolizes pro-Palestinian protesters at the University of Massachusetts as the student government passes a divestment resolution.
The demands of pro-Palestinian protesters appear to be gaining momentum, as the student government at Amherst College in Massachusetts approved a resolution forcing the university to divest from defense company Raytheon.
While it may not lead to large-scale action at the university level, it's a small victory that student protesters are embracing.
This resolution was passed at the student government level, so while it is a victory for students, it does not necessarily mean the university will take any action or cut ties with Raytheon. Nor are his 57 UMass students arrested on campus last October.
Students want the University of Massachusetts to end its affiliation with groups it deems complicit in genocide. But the university says it partners with a wide range of educational institutions, non-governmental organizations and private industry.
According to UMass representatives, it is each student's choice whether or not to engage with an employer. It is not the university's role to make that choice for them. ”
The university added that student tuition fees do not go toward university endowment funds that support these types of partnerships, but only for “the university's annual operations.” Regardless, the students vow to move forward. “If we stay silent about this, if we don't protest, nothing will change,” sophomore Rosie Costello said.
Senior Lukas Czarniecki added, “It's a big thing for us to win and it gives people at other universities hope that they can win too.”
Students are planning a rally outside the student union on Tuesday, May 7 at 1 p.m.
Kaelee Collins is a reporter who has been part of the 22News team since 2022. Follow Kaelee on X @kaelee_collins Check out her bio to see more of her work.
