A pro-Palestinian protest popped up outside the George Sherman Student Union at Boston University Monday evening, where demonstrators demanded the building’s name be changed to honor a Palestinian journalist who was killed Aug. 10
“Anas Al-Sharif Union,” read one banner, using the name of the correspondent for Al Jazeera. Another giant banner, reading, “Free Palestine” was strung up between trees. Some held banners and cardboard signs calling on BU to cut financial ties to any company aiding the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
About 100 people stood in the courtyard, silently blocking most people from entering. At least six small tents were set up.
Pro-Palestinian encampments emerged on college campuses nationwide in the spring of 2024. Since then, colleges have cracked down on protests.
Quinobequin Student Front for Palestine — a group formerly known as Boston University Students for Justice in Palestine — advertised the 5 p.m. protest on social media.
Several participants declined to speak when approached by the Globe. It was unclear how many protesters were BU students or activists who joined from elsewhere.
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Many wore traditional Middle Eastern keffiyeh scarves. Others donned surgical masks, hoods, and sunglasses to shield their identities.
The protest appeared largely peaceful, but police spoke to the crowd shortly before 7:30 p.m.
“You are unlawfully assembled,” a Boston University police captain said over a loud speaker. He warned protesters would be arrested for trespassing if they did not leave.
“Necessary force may be used,” if they did not disperse, the officer said.
The crowd responded with boos and claps.
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Colin Riley, a BU spokesperson, said the protest numbers were small. “We have 37,000 students,” he wrote in an email to the Globe. “They have been formally told to disperse or face arrest. Any students who are arrested also possibly face disciplinary action.”
Seven Boston police cruisers with lights flashing lined the area near the student union at 775 Commonwealth Ave.
David Estrada, a spokesperson for Boston police, said officers responded at 5:30 p.m. to a call for assistance at a protest. By 8:14, the crowd had dispersed.
As the Israel-Hamas war nears its two year anniversary on Oct. 7, calls to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza have grown louder from activists and governments.
The Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and about 251 were taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies. More than 64,000 people, also mostly civilians, have since been killed during the war in Gaza, according to local health authorities.
Correspondent Adam Sennott contributed to this report. Material from Reuters was also used.
Tonya Alanez can be reached at tonya.alanez@globe.com. Follow her @talanez.