Last Monday, students returned to campus to find flyers in support of Palestine posted on lampposts, academic buildings and the student bookstore. A large series of flyers found on the main entrance wall have since been removed.
Many flyers read: “All Eyes on Rafah” — referring to the recent Israeli airstrikes on the Gazan city. More than half of Gaza’s population is seeking refuge in Rafah amidst the war.
The flyers also mention an anonymous Instagram account, pilotsforpalestine, with additional information about upcoming informal gatherings to promote Palestinian solidarity. Pilotsforpalestine has remained active through posting flyers, meeting information and Instagram stories regarding the Israel-Hamas war.
“Pilotsforpalestine is an (informal and unofficial) group for students who care about justice for Palestine,” the pilotsforpalestine Instagram post from Jan. 31 said. “We can move forward in a number of ways, depending on how y’all want it to. I’m down for demonstrations, for more flyering, for community gatherings, to go to protests downtown together… but obviously I can’t do it alone.”
Days after being anonymously posted on campus, some flyers remained without formal approval. Flyers must be sponsored by a campus department, recognized club or student organization to have Student Activities’ approval, according to UP director of Student Activities, Jeromy Koffler.
“We would love to talk to the student who is posting [the flyers] to connect them to other groups that could be interested in sponsoring the effort, but we don't know who the student is,” Koffler said. “Unfortunately, we don't have a clear communication path, so we have to take the flyers down just as we would take down any flyers that are posted without our stamp.”
Last semester, UP students organized a vigil calling for a ceasefire amidst the Israel-Hamas war. While there haven’t been any similar events on campus ever since, pilotsforpalestine said in an Instagram post that student action regarding Palestine is still needed on campus.
“115 days of the latest assault on Palestine, and the silence on campus is deafening,” the pilotsforpalestine Instagram post from Jan. 31 said.
The informal gatherings take place on Mondays from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. and on Fridays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the SLUG garden.
Camille Kuroiwa-Lewis is a reporter for The Beacon. She can be reached at kuroiwal26@up.edu.
