Students for a Democratic Society and Gamma Phi Omega International Sorority hosted a movie night and presentation on March 13 to shed light on campus about the injustices faced in Palestine.
SDS is a new registered student organization, and the primary focus since its initial start has been organizing against wars waged by the United States. SDS is aiming to inform students about the conflict between Israel and Palestine.
The selected documentary was “Gaza Fights for Freedom,” directed by Abby Martin, which focused on life in Gaza well before the attacks in 2023.
The movie night gave students a chance to see boots-on-the-ground footage of what’s happening in Palestine and to talk with fellow students after the film to discuss how they felt and what they believe needs to be done.
Since Israel became a nation in 1948, the land has been a scene for religious and geopolitical conflict as well as occupation and violation of international law.
Hamas, an Arabic acronym for the Islamic resistance movement, has been in control of Palestine since 2007. Hamas is the largest militant group across Palestinian territories such as The Gaza Strip and West Bank. They are committed to armed resistance against Israel and the creation of an Islamic Palestinian state in Israel’s place.
Oct. 7, 2023, marks the start of a wave of surprise attacks led by Hamas on Israeli military posts and civilian communities. Since then, the Israeli military has continued attacks on Hamas to this day.
Welding engineering senior Forrest Hamilton is the president of SDS. He selected the film for the event to try and show the humanitarian side of what is happening to the people living in the Gaza Strip and West Bank.
“Over 30,000 people have died there and there’s very little talk about it on campus,” Hamilton said. “Often in our history classes, we talk about how we wouldn’t let something like the Holocaust happen again, but hundreds of innocent people are being killed every single day. This has been going on far longer than our recent media portrays and something has to be done.”
The documentary emphasized the violence the Israeli military has provoked against Palestinians, and that this has been going on for years.
Hamilton wants the Big Rapids community to know how these attacks are funded and carried out.
“It is a war that everybody is hearing about, and it’s also where our tax money is going,” Hamilton said. “We actively see people in the community struggling and we’re watching our tax dollars support death rather than preserve the lives of people in need here.”
Business administration student Hilary Sanchez is GPhiO’s president. She helped coordinate this event along with Hamilton. Both groups have seen little to no support for Palestine, so they came up with this event to start conversations around campus.
“Tonight is a way to make an impact on students and inform them about the genocide happening in Palestine,” Sanchez said. “It hasn’t been talked about a lot through the university and through our students so it is a great way to get conversations started and I am hoping there will be a change in the community trend.”
One thing that surprised Sanchez on campus is the support that Starbucks is still receiving despite boycotts happening internationally.
Starbucks Workers United made posts condemning the occupation and threats of genocide that Palestine faces. Starbucks requested that the posts be deleted, later stating they are a neutral company with no political agenda and have no intention of supporting any war. This led to the corporation receiving backlash ultimately leading to a boycott.
“I don’t think Ferris has made any changes to show support for Palestine. Starbucks is still here even though they are one of the biggest supporters of the war right now. I see students still going there and supporting them every day, so this event is a way to educate them further as well as leave an impact on them,” Sanchez said.
After showing the film, Hamilton asked the audience how it made them feel. One student, who wished to remain anonymous, said it had made them “sad and it feels like there is not a lot I can personally do to help.”
Hamilton’s presentation afterward aimed to display what students and administration can do to help. One of the first steps Hamilton called on the university to issue a statement demanding a “permanent ceasefire.”
Another measure Hamilton encouraged is to divest from companies that contribute to Israel’s military. Hamilton believes students should get involved with these demands by making appointments with the administration to let them know how they feel. Students can also show their support by spreading this topic.
“We hope to build a group of people around campus that support the liberation of the people in Palestine and the end to the Israeli occupation,” Hamilton said. “We can’t do this without getting people together and having important discussions. We need to remember no one is free until we are all free.”
For updates and inquiries regarding SDS and GPhiO, contact sdsferris@nullgmail.com and ferrisstate.gphio@nullgmail.com. Also, check their Instagram pages @newfsusds and @gphioferris for future events.
CULTURE EDITOR GD
C.E. – EC/RS