Student protesters at the University of Oregon moved their pro-Palestinian encampment on Friday to the front of Johnson Hall in what organizers described as an act of escalation.
Representatives with the UO Palestine Coalition, a coalition of student groups calling for an end to the war in Gaza, said they were “applying pressure” to university administrators. The group has repeatedly made demands of the university’s administration, calling for divestment from Jasper Ridge Partners, implementation of a boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign on campus, and condemnation of “the genocide against Palestinians.”
Following the demonstration of chaining five students to the pillars of Johnson Hall, which protesters renamed “Alareer Hall” after Palestinian writer, professor and activist Refaat Alareer and his family, the group began moving its encampment from the Knight Library Lawn to in front of the hall.
UO student and encampment spokesperson Salem Younes said the decision to move was in part to support the students who remained chained to the administrative building. Johnson Hall is also closer to the center of campus, where there is heavier foot traffic.