Three Years of Genocide: What is happening in the Twin Cities?

Three Years of Genocide: What is happening in the Twin Cities?

Friends,

It has been over seven months since our last update. We have been inundated with ICE raids and the wars in Iran and Lebanon, forcing us to take some time to recuperate and regain our footing. While the burnout is palpable and many of us still need time to fully engage, we will begin to send out updates again—though less frequently—to keep you informed about events organized by EJP, student groups, and community organizations on campus or in the Twin Cities.

It’s hard to believe that we have reached the third anniversary of the genocide in Gaza. Over 1,500 Palestinians have been killed by the genocidal state of Israel during the so-called ceasefire. Meanwhile, our university continues to invest in industries that facilitate the genocide in Palestine and the wars in Iran and Lebanon. As we face $255 million in budget cuts over the next two years—likely impacting humanities and social science departments that challenge the racist foundations of the neoliberal university—overpaid administrators reinforce the university's complicity with war industries, whitewashing the violence of genocide and conflict under the guise of “dual use” and “national security.” Ironically, the "national security" initiative, which increasingly militarizes the university and undermines critical thinking, is promoted under the pretense of "academic freedom" by administrators who have violated it, suppressed protests against genocide and ICE terror, criminalized and disciplined student activists, fired staff who spoke out about Palestine, unhired faculty who protested the Gaza genocide, and intimidated faculty and graduate students facing scrutiny for their teachings on race and gender.

The intimidation and violent responses to protests by the Trump administration and its compliant university leadership may have fostered a culture of fear, making many students, staff, and faculty hesitant to participate in protests. However, we must not allow them to silence us. We cannot let despotism stifle our voices. That’s why it is essential to come together tomorrow, Wednesday, October 7, at noon, for the rally at Coffman Memorial Union. Free Palestine!

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