Updates on the Pro-Palestinian Protests

Written By James Bacon

More coverage of last week's pro-Hamas demonstration at the University of Virginia comes from The Jefferson Independent and The Cavalier Daily. The Independent's Peter McHugh provides a vivid  description of events, such as dueling flags -- Israel's versus Palestinian -- on the steps of the Rotunda. Crying, "This is our space!" the pro-Palestinian demonstrators scuffled with the Jewish students in an unsuccessful bid to remove their banner.McHugh also takes note of a communication from the Provost's office to faculty members that stated, "While the university is aware that a number of student organizations are planning a walkout at 12:30 tomorrow, we are not canceling classes and expect that instruction will continue as scheduled.”At least one professor, Mack Gregg of the English department, ended class at 12:30 and urged students to attend the walkout demonstration, two students told McHugh. The Independent tried to contact Gregg for a response but got no reply.Kudos to the administration for insisting that classes continue as scheduled. Will there be any repercussions for defying the order? Stay tuned...According to the Cavalier Daily account, the pro-Palestinians described Israel's actions -- retaliatory strikes that have resulted in unintended civilian casualties -- as "genocide."The lead organizers of the event, Students for Justice in Palestine, were joined by Young Democratic Socialists of America and Dissenters and 12 other student organizations.-- JAB

James Bacon

After a 25-year career in Virginia journalism, James A. Bacon founded Bacon’s Rebellion in 2002 a blog with the goal of “Reinventing Virginia for the 21st Century.” Its focus is on building more prosperous, livable and sustainable communities. In recent years he has concentrated more on the spread of “woke” ideology in K-12 schools, the criminal justice system, higher education, and medicine.

In 2021, he co-founded The Jefferson Council to preserve free speech, intellectual diversity, and the Jeffersonian legacy at his alma mater the University of Virginia. He previously served as the organization’s executive director, now serving as congributing editor.

Aside from blogging, Bacon writes books. His first was Boomergeddon: How Runaway Deficits Will Bankrupt the Country and Ruin Retirement for Aging Baby Boomers — And What You Can Do About It, followed by Maverick Miner: How E. Morgan Massey Became a Coal Industry Legend and a work of science fiction, Dust Mites: the Siege of Airlock Three.

A Virginian through-and-through, Bacon lives in Richmond with his wife Laura.

https://www.baconsrebellion.com/wp/
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