Can’t make it to the university protests for Palestine? Here’s how you can help from anywhere

The ongoing humanitarian crisis and violence in Palestine have ignited protests worldwide. Many people, particularly hundreds of students at over 120 US college campuses, are passionately voicing their support for Palestinian rights, demanding justice, and calling for divestment to Israel.

And it’s escalating. This week, violence erupted at the UCLA campus pro-Palestine encampments as counter protesters assaulted, hurled gas canisters, sprayed pepper spray and threw fireworks and bricks at student protestors. Across the country in New York, about 300 pro-Palestine student protesters at Columbia University were arrested after they occupied Hamilton Hall, an academic building at the university with a long history of being a site of student protest over the decades. The current wave of arrests and militarized reactions are reigniting discussions about the historical use of force against student movements in the United States.

As the situation unfolds, the students are going to continue to need support whether it’s physically showing up or otherwise. So what if you strongly support this cause, yet can’t physically join the protests? Not everyone can make it out – there are many valid reasons why someone might not be able to attend a protest in person. Here are just a few:

• Distance: Protests might not be happening in your immediate area, making travel impractical.
• Health concerns: Health issues or compromised immunity might make large gatherings risky.
• Work or caregiver responsibilities: Certain jobs or caring for dependents might make attending a protest impossible.
• Financial constraints: Transportation or childcare costs could be barriers to joining a protest.
• Safety concerns: Some people may feel unsafe in large crowds or potential confrontations.

There are lots of reasons, more than listed here. Luckily, for those unable to attend protests in person, there are still ways to make your voice heard and advocate for justice for Palestinians, even if the marches and encampments themselves are out of reach.

Here’s what you CAN do:

• Drop-off materials: In order to continue holding down the fort, students at various encampments have asked for some the following items:
  • Canopies, tarps and tents
  • Coolers and ice
  • Solar generators
  • Portable chargers
  • Umbrellas
  • Blankets and foam mattress toppers
  • Wood
  • Battery/solar-powered lanterns
  • Tables
  • Art supplies
  • Menstrual products
  • Sunscreen
  • Food, including lunch meat, bread, cheese and condiments, and snacks
  • Water
  • Gloves
  • First-aid kits
  • Masks
  • Trash bags
  • Zines

Different encampments have different requests, check local social pages to see specific requests to campuses near you.

• Make art: Various cities and organizations are holding art builds and poster and banner-making events for protests. Join one nearby or online!

• Amplify the news: Talk to your friends and family and flood your social media. Social media is a megaphone. Use it! Amplify Palestinian voices, share verified news, counter harmful narratives, and use relevant hashtags like #SaveSheikhJarrah and #FreePalestine.

• Write letters to politicians, university leadership and legacy media: Several advocates have put out templates to write to your local representatives and leadership at universities to show your support for student protesters. Students are calling especially to alumni and faculty for support. This week, for instance, over 2,300 alumni, parents and students signed a letter to withhold donations until Yale divests from Israel and a group of more than 50 journalism professors has written to The New York Times calling on the paper to commission an independent review of its report that members of Hamas committed widespread sexual violence on Oct. 7.

• Donate to bail funds: Bail funds are crucial for protecting the rights of student protesters. Unexpected arrests can lead to steep financial burdens that disproportionately affect them.

• Donate your time: Offering your time and skills can be a powerful way to show support. Your expertise can provide essential resources, knowledge, and support for protestors and the wider movement. Lawyers, mental health professionals, educators, and healers all play crucial roles in sustaining movements for justice.

• Boycott: Economic power matters. Boycotts have a long and impactful history in the US, dating back to when American settlers first began their process of colonization. Research companies that may profit from or contribute to the oppression of Palestinians. Commit to boycotting these brands, and amplify calls for others to do the same.
  

Why all kinds of support matters

Despite the recent escalation of tensions, the student protests for Gaza are showing signs of progress. University administrations are facing mounting pressure, and some institutions are starting to respond. In a major student victory on April 30, Brown University’s corporate board said it will vote on a proposal to divest from Israeli interests. An unprecedented number of Barnard students passed a referendum in favor of divesting from the Israeli economy on April 29.

There’s also been a shift in some policies, with universities, like Columbia, becoming more transparent about their investments. In a few cases, there have even been discussions about divestment from companies seen as profiting from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

These early signs suggest that the protestors’ voices are being heard and their actions are having a tangible impact. However, the fight is far from over, and continued pressure will be crucial to ensure universities take a more critical stance.

“The students’ courage and determination in the face of adversity inspire us all to take action and speak out against injustice wherever it occurs. As they risk everything right now, it is critical that all of us do everything we can to support them,” voiced over 200 progressive organizations in solidarity with pro-Palestinian student protests in a recent statement.