Published In

Radical Teacher

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Fall 12-6-2024

Subjects

Protest movements, Social justice, Higher education -- Public relations, Portland State University, Refaat Alareer, College teachers -- Political activity, Student movements, College students -- Political activity, Human rights, Civil rights

Abstract

Student campus protest has been a hallmark of US social movements for decades. Edited versions of these movements are lauded in university courses on historical social change. Yet a variety of commentators in traditional media, campus administration, and political administration display a calculated confusion when it comes to contemporary campus movements, particularly around Palestine. This article aims to clear up that confusion, outlining the protests and occupations that took place in spring 2024 on the campus of Portland State University and in its renamed Refaat Alareer Memorial Library, setting them in their national (and international) context, and outlining the violent responses from university administrators, campus police, and the Portland Police Bureau against students and community members who participated. We touch on the conventional scolding narrative, discuss creativity inherent in constructing liberatory occupations, and note the basic contradictions of a capitalist liberal free speech regime.

Rights

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Copyright (c) 2024 Aaron Roussell

DOI

10.5195/rt.2024.1339

Persistent Identifier

https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/43021

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