Hunter
05/04/24
A crowd of Iowa City residents, including organizers with Iowa City Students for Justice in Palestine, held the first of three weekend protests on the Pentacrest Friday.
The event included discussions, art, and a student-led Shabbat calling for peace and an end to the suffering of the Palestine people.
The Students for Justice group includes University of Iowa and area high school students.
Due to policies barring encampments, the group decided to hold the protest all weekend between the hours of noon and 7pm.
The Gazette reports the Iowa City group, like other student protesters across the country, have demanded their universities divest from any financial support or backing tied to Israeli-linked companies or institutions. The Iowa City Students for Justice in Palestine want full UI divestment from weapons manufacturers arming Israel’s occupation in Gaza, including corporate partnerships with Collins Aerospace and Lockheed Martin.
The State Board of Regents is prohibited from investing in companies that boycott Israel, and has been since 2017. Board spokesperson Josh Lehman told the Gazette that the universities hold ho direct investments with Israel or companies directly working with Israel.
Governor Kim Reynolds, who was made aware of the planned event, said that “hate speech” and “destruction” would not be allowed. The University of Iowa communications team stressed that the UI protects “hate speech” in alignment with the First Amendment, but does not protect speech that includes threats or incites violence.
Although a direct law enforcement presence wasn’t seen by KCJJ, Iowa State Patrol, Johnson County Sheriff, and Iowa City Police vehicles were seen parked nearby or driving by the Pentacrest.