Michigan State University students gathered to commemorate the third anniversary of Oct. 7, 2023, and the subsequent Israel-Hamas war Wednesday evening.
The event, hosted by Students in Justice for Palestine, brought students and faculty together to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people, honor the lives lost and reflect on the ongoing war.
Before the event began, students gathered on the front steps of the Michigan State University Auditorium. Access to The Rock was blocked by pro-Israeli students for over 30 minutes, who stood close to guard their commemoration site from earlier that evening.
Faculty advisor for Students in Justice for Palestine, Stephen Gasteyer, described how the Oct. 7 attacks kicked off a wave of violence, the genocide in Gaza and the ethnic cleansing in the West Bank that has horrified many people.
“This day involves an incredible loss of life for Israelis, but also tens of thousands of Palestinian lives,” Gasteyer said. “This is just the latest chapter in the killing and death that has been in this part of the Middle East.”
Through speeches, students and faculty reflected on the news of the attack and the ongoing effects since that day. Students in Justice for Palestine president Mia Zaben recalled how one of her best friends had been paralyzed by gunfire from an Israel Defense Forces soldier. She emphasized the resilience of students with similar experiences.
“While we mourn, we are told to be quiet,” Zaben said in her speech. “We are not going to disappear. We will keep speaking for our families, for our friends and for everyone whose voice has been taken from them.”
Gasteyen reiterated this sentiment with the resilience of the Palestinian people, who continue to stay on the land despite the historic destruction.
“Palestinians are still on the ground, suffering immensely right now, but they are there,” Gasteyer said in his speech. “Palestinians have continued to stay on the land; they continue to endure.”
Marcie Kalosa-Kenyon, who is part of the research and political teams for Students in Justice for Palestine, said the organization wanted to ensure things would go smoothly.
“We are a peaceful organization, and we want to ensure that we can make things safe and that there is no aggression towards either side,” said Kalosa-Kenyon.
Students in Justice for Palestine marched to The Rock, chanting, “Free, Free Palestine” and “Long Live Palestine.” As students approached, pro-Israeli students blocked their path. A line of unaffiliated individuals, along with local law enforcement on standby, formed to protect against violence from both groups.
At 8:02 p.m., over an hour after the start of the event, Students in Justice for Palestine were able to paint on the backside of The Rock. They painted the Palestinian flag and the number of lives lost during the Israel-Hamas war.
An individual in the crowd shouted, “Two-state solution, two-rock solution.”
An hour and a half later, Students in Justice for Palestine painted the rest of The Rock.
Gasteyer expressed his gratitude to students being able to hold demonstrations like this.
“This is what public universities are supposed to do. It is to provide a place where people can express informed perspectives on issues,” he said.
Zaben reinforced the importance of painting The Rock to give a voice to her family, friends and everyone she knew back home while informing MSU students about the events overseas.
“It means being able to reach out to the students here at MSU and let them know what’s going on overseas and how MSU is affiliated with what’s going on overseas,” Zaben said.
“We have a voice, and we’re not going to sit by and let things happen.”
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