PHOTOS: Hundreds of Alabama Students Peacefully Protest For and Against Israel

A few hundred University of Alabama students protesting against Israel and its conflict with Palestinians in Gaza drew an at least equally large contingent of counter-protestors in a peaceful demonstration Wednesday.

The crowds gathered in the plaza outside the University's Student Center on Campus Drive and as both grew, staff and UA Police officers separated them with simple rope barriers.

The event was organized by the UA Leftist Collective, who chanted and gave speeches in support of Palestine and condemning Israel, President Joe Biden and the University itself.

The protestors said in a release that they see UA as supporters of Israel, who they accused of killing more than 34,000 people since they were attacked in October 7th last year.

"A 2022 audit revealed that the Board of the University of Alabama received $10.4 million that year in funding from the Department of Defense," the student group said. "UA also has a very close relationship with Lockheed Martin, a defense contractor that has supplied Israel with fighter jets, Hellfire missiles, and other weapons that are currently being used to slaughter Palestinians. In 2018, UA received $15 million in stock from Marillyn Hewson, the then-CEO of Lockheed. UA is listed as a partner university of the company (Lockheed has taken down this part of its website), and it allows Lockheed to hold recruiting events on campus."

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The Leftist Collective sent a list of six "demands" as they announced the protest.

• Stop allowing Lockheed Martin to recruit on campus.
• Break off UA’s official role as a “partner university” of Lockheed Martin.
• Rename Hewson Hall, which is named after Marillyn Hewson.
• Disclose a list of investments made using UA’s endowment fund, and divest from corporations that are supporting the genocide in Gaza.
• Stop conducting research funded by the Department of Defense.
• Release a public statement calling for an immediate, permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

Counter-protestors sang the National Anthem and chanted mantras like "USA! USA!" and expletives directed towards Hamas, Joe Biden and more.

The protestors, counter-protestors and other demonstrations getting out of hand on in recent weeks campuses across America drew a heavy and highly visible presence from the University of Alabama Police Department. Still, the event was sanctioned by UA and officers there only kept the peace.

"Protests were held on campus today by groups with opposing viewpoints. The University appreciates that attendees peacefully exercised their free speech rights with no disruptions, violence, vandalism or arrests," UA said in a statement after the protest ended peacefully "University staff and UAPD were on-site and shared expectations for a responsible, peaceful event along with clear guidance consistent with the law and University policy. All protests must comply with applicable University policies to ensure safety and security on campus and to maintain orderly operations. The University maintains the authority to promptly address any violations. Enhanced security and other resources have been made available to students and groups who have expressed concern, and those resources remain available."

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