In protest of the war in Gaza, students at the University of Massachusetts Amherst established a tent encampment April 29, 2024.
"We're saying divest from Israel and companies that are enabling this genocide. We are calling for a democratized campus where students, faculty and the like are listened to, and we are calling for 'cops off campus' and an end to student repression," Hazeyen said.Hazeyen said two people from, what she called the Student Conduct Office, came earlier in the day and warned the group they were not allowed to set up an encampment because they didn't have a land use permit.
Reyes went on to say that the university’s policies do not bar lawful demonstrations, but full compliance with university policies, including the removal of tents and other unauthorized structures, is required. "We were like five people three years ago and now we're hundreds and hundreds," said Hazeyen, who is Palestinian and grew up between Turkey and Jordan.