Texas Tech University student organizations protest in support of the Gaza ceasefire

LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – A Muslim student organization at Texas Tech is joining thousands across the country to protest the war in Gaza that followed the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7th.

The non-violent demonstration began on campus Friday morning and continued through the afternoon.

Texas Tech student organizations said they had three main goals: divestment, a ceasefire in Gaza and solidarity with protesters across the country who have been arrested and injured.

The Texas Tech University Muslim Student Association and Students for Justice in Palestine have created a “liberation zone” to demand change in Gaza.

“The thought that we have been in a genocide for 200 days hurts our hearts; So we really want to come here and advocate for them,” said Anum Javeed, a student at Texas Tech.

Many college students have gathered in protest at universities across the country. Groups are calling for peace in Palestine, others are calling for the release of Israeli hostages.

Some protests have been violent, but these organizations on the Texas Tech campus cared about doing it right.

“Together, we as Red Raiders are able to properly exercise these First Amendment rights, make this statement and stand up for the students who have been treated unfairly,” Javeed said.

Anum Javeed, a sophomore at Texas Tech, says they are demanding that Texas Tech ensure that it does not invest financially in supporting the war.

Some of these demonstrations, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and justice for students detained during the protests, turned violent across the country.

“This suggests that the students sought this conflict with local law enforcement, when in reality that is not what the students want. “We want to express our freedom of expression in an appropriate way, and that is exactly what many of these students have done in these protests,” Javeed said.

Organizers held discussions with Texas Tech University administration, campus police and city police before the protest and imposed strict restrictions on demonstrators.

“We really just want to show that it can be done right, and that you can understand the cause and that it can be done right.”

The organization recently protested after a Texas Tech professor was suspended for allegedly making anti-Semitic posts on social media.

Anum appreciates their protests for the professor's reinstatement and says it is important to use one's voice.

“It is a beautiful thing to be able to use your voice, and living in a country that allows this is not a given.”

Protesters staged peaceful sit-ins in several buildings on campus and were able to protest without incident.

Copyright 2024 KCBD. All rights reserved.