DIE-INS AT UO
A recent "die-in" protest organized by Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) at the University of Oregon (UO) has ignited a flurry of debate and discussion among students, faculty, and the wider community. The demonstration, which took place late Wednesday morning on campus, aimed to raise awareness about the ongoing genocide in Palestine and called for university divestment from investments contributing to the violence perpetrated by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). Participants laid down on the ground to simulate being dead; they sought to symbolize solidarity with the Palestinian cause and draw attention to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region. However, the event was not without controversy, with opinions among UO students being deeply divided.
Reports emerged of demonstrators entering classrooms, such as Chem 222, and disrupting lectures to recruit students to join their protest at the EMU. One student expressed frustration on Yik Yak, describing the disruption as "not the best approach" and highlighting the importance of respecting individuals' choices to pursue education. Others echoed this sentiment, criticizing the protesters' tactics and questioning the effectiveness of their methods. Critics also questioned the authenticity of the protest, siting a privileged demographic engaging in a demonstration that aligns with an underprivileged demographic as their point of concern. We believe these claims aim to show the protest as a “performative” action rather than one of substance. Proponents of the protest defended the actions of SJP. They emphasized the urgency of the Palestinian cause and called on the university community to support divestment efforts to address the ongoing crisis.
To provide a little context, die-in protests have roots in civil disobedience and countercultural street theatre, two traditions utilized for decades. The American Civil Rights campaigners pioneered non-violent occupations to assert their rights to public space and equal citizenship, dating back to the 1940s but gaining international attention in the early 1960s. During the early stages of anti-war and environmental movements, dying-in was a popular method of protest. This is potentially because highlighting death as an outcome of war-mongering or unchecked pollution was vital to achieving success in these causes. The term "die-in" first emerged during Boston's inaugural Earth Day celebration on April 22, 1970, when environmentally-conscious activists staged a demonstration where some participants laid down makeshift coffins at Logan International Airport check-in areas to raise awareness regarding pollutants entering their local surroundings.
The event sparked a broader conversation about the ethics of using "die-in" protests to address geopolitical issues, with some individuals expressing concerns about the appropriateness of the symbolism within a university setting. Nevertheless, supporters of the protest underscored the importance of visibility and activism in raising awareness and effecting change.
The University of Oregon administration has yet to issue an official response to the protest or the diverse range of student opinions. However, the demonstration has already added fuel to the ongoing dialogue and debate on campus, contributing to discussions about free expression, social justice, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
As the conversation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the university will address the concerns raised by students and navigate the complexities of advocating for justice globally while upholding the principles of academic freedom and inclusivity.
