By Irma Susset  – Contributor

As bombardments intensified in the Gaza Strip and killings became more rampant in the West Bank, Bishop’s students, disheartened, decided to act and demonstrate their support for the Palestinian people. Students have been incredibly impacted by the Palestinian genocide. 

Members of the Caribbean African Student Association (CASA), as well as the Muslim Student Association (MSA), acted swiftly in mobilizing support for the cause, and students at large have continued showing support since the beginning of the devastating events over a month ago. The associations collaborated on organizing a poster-making session for an upcoming peaceful march to support Palestine in the streets of Sherbrooke. Over a dozen students came together and worked for hours to deliver a message that would be quickly echoed throughout the world: “We stand with Palestine and its liberation from the Israeli attacks and government.” As supporters of the cause arranged for transport of students and their powerful art to the march, BU students were even featured on the Radio Canada news channel, walking proudly with their posters and chanting through downtown Sherbrooke. 

Over the past five weeks, people all over the world have demanded action from their governments in calling for an immediate ceasefire. Incredible amounts of people are gathering to show their disapproval of their governments and their unrelenting support of the Palestinian cause. Amongst these peaceful marches has also been some backlash by Israeli supporters and lots of controversy surrounding the topic. Alana, a fourth-year political studies major student comments: “I guess I’m just disheartened by the lack of understanding and the unwillingness to listen. There are so many assumptions and people aren’t listening to each other. ‘Free Palestine’ does not mean ‘kill Jewish people’, ‘Free Palestine’ means freeing people from a military occupation and an inhumane living condition.” This sentiment is shared by thousands who would like to see their governments take action against this genocide. 

Bishop’s SRC President, Sophia Stacey is conscious of the student body’s distress, sadness and suffering regarding the current geopolitical situation. She met with students on the topic, stressing “I am deeply concerned about how this is affecting our students, their studies and their mental health, and BUSRC is exploring and actively engaging in discussion with affected communities on how to best support students moving forward”. She welcomes any student’s input or inquiry concerning the SRC and its work. 

“We were disappointed by the SRC not taking the initiative to represent the student concerns and to echo their pain in solidarity with regards to this matter, however, once we met with the SRC president, we understood our pain and experience is not taken lightly and were assured that all students deserve the right to speak freely at Bishop’s,” said Ziyad, a second-year student in political studies. 

I’m personally encouraged by the mobilizations of people worldwide about this humanitarian crisis. To see one nation’s pain being felt and acted upon across oceans and on our campus gives me hope that Palestine will be free.