By Iraz Akkus
On Thursday 9 November, LSE students and staff took part in a national walkout to show support for Palestine, call for an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing conflict within the region, and end the Israeli occupation.
The initiative was part of a transnational call for a “shutdown” in aid of Palestine and to suspend the violence and brutality; many across the globe attended similar “Shut It Down for Palestine” walkouts and marches.
A representative from The Beaver reported that there were a large number of people who attended the walkout. The demands expressed at the rally on 19 October were echoed, including calls for a ceasefire and urging LSE to fully disassociate from “investments complicit in Israeli apartheid”.
Attendees emphasised that the media have been falsely shaping the narrative of the conflict; they highlighted the need to stay educated and stated that spreading information without the historical context of violence was detrimental.
Many speakers, which included both students and staff, expressed the continued need to speak out for Palestinians amid increasing suppression of free speech. Home Secretary Suella Braverman previously characterised pro-Palestine demonstrations as “hate marches.”
Alex*, a third year student in attendance, described the event as a “visual presence of solidarity with Palestine.”
After the walkout, attendees walked around campus towards the outside of the Marshall Building, where they began a sit-in to show further support for the cause.
Various LSESU societies have continued to raise awareness and aid for Palestine.
* Names have been changed to preserve anonymity.
Photograph by Sana Agarwal
