Two Years Post Oct. 7, 2023 Students and Community Members Stand for Palestine

On the second anniversary of the Oct. 7 attack launched by Hamas into Israel, various activist groups — including Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and Behind Enemy Lines — held protests at the Lake Shore Campus and in West Rogers Park. 

Around 11 a.m. at the intersection of West Devon Ave and North Damen, Behind Enemy Lines held a march and “speakout” to “Escalate for Gaza,” which called for the end of American monetary support for the Israeli Government. 

Behind Enemy Lines is a Chicago-based anti-imperialist group with a chapter in New York City and various networks in Champaign, Ill., Raleigh, N.C., Durham, N.C. and Denver, Colo.. Co-founded by local bartender Michael Boyte, he said the group chooses to “side with the people of the world” in their protests and actions. 

“I really thought it was important that there be on Oct. 7 a statement, a show of defiance of resistance to the genocide that is being sponsored and supported by the U.S. government,” Boyte said. 

The protest started with chanting at the intersection, with resounding honks from passing cars. 

Protester and teacher Elise Knaub led the march westbound down Devon Avenue. Unauthorized to march down the road, the group was tailed by Chicago police who asked the group to proceed on the sidewalk. 

“Resistance is justified when people are occupied,” the protesters led by Knaub chanted. 

The protest ended at North Claremont Avenue and Devon Avenue. In addition to the march, Loyola’s SJP chapter hosted a demonstration Oct. 8 to honor lost Palestinian lives. 

Students gathered on the quad outside of Damen with Kuffiyehs, Palestinian Flags and posters as they listed out the names and ages of those who had passed. The protest lasted from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.. 

Fourth-year biology major Rowa Alia said the demonstration was organized to collectively mourn and ensure visibility for Palestine on campus. The demonstration is reflective of SJP’s focus to bring back humanity towards lost Palestinians, according to Alia.

“I feel like that got lost within the Palestinian people,” Alia said. “They’re seen as numbers, and they’re not that important anymore. They also had a life. They had goals and dreams.”

For Alia, the two year mark since Oct.7 represents a turning point in awareness. She said while there’s still many more depictions which need to change, increased expert recognition of genocide leads her to feel optimistic over outside acknowledgement regarding Palestine.

Others at the event reflected on their personal ties to the cause. First-year English and history double major Jordan Mousa-Sage has been active in Palestinian advocacy since high school, where he served as youth ambassador for the Palestinian Youth Movement and led an SJP chapter.

Sage explained how loss has reshaped his approach towards activism. 

“In 2024, I lost two cousins and my uncle within the same month,” Sage said. “That kind of grief fully changes your perspective on life.”

Sage said despite feeling swallowed by dehumanizing anger since the loss, family history and religion have become grounding forces. He said his family’s recent discovery of their Haifan origins shifted everything concerning his outlook to further dedicate his life to the cause. 

Along with the images of his lost family members, Sage’s poster showed an Arabic phrase which translates to “We are the Revolution and the Honorable Anger.” 

“It’s a quote from Lebanese singer Julia Botros,” Sage said. “In Arabic, the word rabab means an anger that comes from your heart, the fire that pushes you to act.”

Sage said he urges others to reconsider language and ensure those who have passed are remembered as “martyrs” rather than “victims.”

“When you hear numbers like 40,000 dead, you forget they’re people,” said Sage. “You need to feel that weight because that weight is what makes us human. That’s empathy.” 

Second-year social work major Hannah Schmidt said attending SJP events such as the Oct. 8 demonstration was a way to stay grounded. 

“Sometimes it’s hard not to tear up,” Schmidt said. “When I hear the names, I try to picture who that person could be. Hearing about young kids or students my age, it’s easy to imagine that they could be just like me.”

Despite the emotional weight of the demonstration, Schmidt said this form of activism has become a form of self care. She said she wishes more people understood how matters, even in small ways. 

“Our society pushes this idea that self-care means isolating yourself, but that makes things heavier,” she said. “When you go out and sit with others, you feel their presence. It makes you feel more taken care of, more grounded.”

Looking ahead, Alia said Loyola’s SJP chapter plans to continue to hold demonstrations and education events over the course of the next year such as a fixed exhibit where students can read about Palestinians who lost their lives to the conflict.