LUBBOCK, Texas — Pro-Palestinian students at Texas Tech University gathered in a free speech area on campus to chant, sing and pray on Tuesday, April 30, during the college finals. They called it the “Liberation Zone” and stayed there for 12 hours.Students were outside from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The main points of the 12-hour “Free Zone” were to call on Texas Tech University to divest from companies that fund Israel, join forces with pro-Palestinian protesters at other universities, and and called for a permanent ceasefire with Hamas.
It’s an emotional time for students like Asmar Abushanab, a fourth-year student at Texas Tech who is Palestinian himself.
“It’s really hard to be a Palestinian American because all these things are happening, and it makes you feel like your life doesn’t have value,” Abushanab said.
On Tuesday, she and other students stood together in the middle of Texas Tech University’s campus. Each had a reason for being there. Olivia Iskander wanted to show her solidarity and empathy for the Palestinian people.
“People are dying. We see videos every day. We see children. We see women – 70% women and children. It’s terrible. It’s terrible. It’s terrible. It’s heartbreaking,” Iskander said.
The “liberation zone” occurred on Tuesday when representatives from the state of Texas issued a statement saying they supported Israel. Representatives Carl Tepper and Dustin Burrows signed a letter condemning all “physical and psychological intimidation,” including on Texas campuses.
“I think once again it is the responsibility of the state of Texas to support Israel in every way possible,” said Congressman Tepper.
Iskander said no matter what, he continues to support protesters at other campuses, including the University of Texas at Austin.
“It’s very frustrating. It’s very disappointing, but it’s very honorable. I’m very proud of the students who did this,” Iskander said of pro-Palestinian protesters arrested on college campuses across the country. I talked about people. “We should be able to stand up for what we believe in. We should be able to express our ideas just like anyone else.”
