“Free, free Palestine!” chants vibrated through the yard as hundreds of Howard University students, faculty, and staff gathered in support on Wednesday afternoon. Across the world, several university students have organized walkouts to protest the Israeli attacks on Palestinians in the Middle East—and the Howard community also demonstrated a successful turnout.

The death toll of Palestinian lives has surpassed 8,000 since Oct. 7 following Hamas’ strike in Israel. Within the first six days, Israel dropped over 6,000 bombs alone on Gaza. The US-backed country has also initiated a near-total blackout cutting off all power and fuel, resulting in minimal access to clean water, internet, or cellular service. With Gaza subject to a land and sea blockade by the Israeli government, the Palestinian population faces a severe shortage of essential necessities such as food, security, medical resources, and humanitarian aid.

Women and children are particularly vulnerable and targeted, with 47.3 percent of Gaza’s population being under 18.

Israel’s occupation of the Gaza Strip dates back to 1967.

At the flagpole, Howard students and community organizers demonstrated their relentless compassion for the Palestinian lives lost across Gaza. Protesters peacefully urged for an immediate cease of siege in Gaza and freedom for Palestinians, while also spreading awareness on Howard’s relationship with the U.S. providing military aid to Israel. Earlier this year, Howard was awarded a $90 million contract to spearhead U.S. military research.

Tamia Thompson, a senior political science major, discusses Howard University students expressing their solidarity with Palestinian freedom while representing an HBCU.

“It made my heart happy to see Howard students coming out and standing up for what we believe in. Our university is uniquely positioned to be a catalyst for change, especially when it comes to liberation of Black and brown people globally; not just because of Howard’s history, but also because of where we are geographically, so close to the White House.”

Students’ support for Palestine did not end with the protest, as many plan to continue engaging with ways to advocate against Palestinian oppression on and off campus as well. 

Jenna Elmasri, a junior finance major and Palestinian student, spoke about how the student body sprung into action to show solidarity for Palestinian lives.

“We want to make it known to people that standing out here isn’t wrong despite the university’s alliances,” Elmasri said. “They [Howard] just remain silent on the whole issue, so that really says, to me, what they prioritize at this institution. In terms of the student body, I feel more than supported to see Black brothers and sisters standing side-by-side with me in a fight for liberation for all people.”

With misinformation flooding social media, searching for international media outlets reporting from the Middle East as well as Palestinian journalists has kept students abreast of the attacks. 

Several Howard and DMV organizations such as the Kwame Ture Society, Students for Justice in Palestine Howard University (HU SJP), and Students for Socialism — DMV are actively educating the student body and raising awareness on the issue. 

“At Howard University, we stand for peace and progress, and we pray for an end to this conflict and the humanitarian and personal suffering of the Israeli and Palestinian people because violence and hatred must never be tolerated,” officials told The Hilltop on Oct. 30.

Howard University has not released an official public statement.