Separate pro-Palestine and pro-Israel protests will take place in the Oklahoma Memorial Union food court Thursday from noon to 2 p.m.
The Student Coalition for Palestinian Liberation, or SCPL, announced Monday on Instagram it will host a "sit-in for liberation" in protest of the war in Gaza. Thursday marks five months since the war began on Oct. 7.
"We are planning a sit-in at the Union to show students and administration where the student body stands in regards to the genocide," SCPL wrote in a statement to OU Daily. "We want to bring attention back to our demands."
On Oct. 25, SCPL held a walkout in support of Palestine and listed demands for OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. and the U.S. government.
Demands for Harroz included releasing a statement condemning the crimes against Palestinians; halting study abroad trips to Israel and cutting ties with partner universities there; and providing free mental health support for Palestinian students, faculty and staff from specialized Arab health care providers.
"As members of the University of Oklahoma, we are ashamed of our University's response to and our government's enabling of the genocide of the Palestinian people," SCPL wrote in the October statement.
SCPL added the "loud silence" of the OU administration has “caused pain” to not only Palestinians on campus but countless other students as well.
On Tuesday, OU Professor Gary Barksdale, faculty advisor of the OU College Republicans, sent a mass email crafted by College Republicans Chairman Anthony Diulio advertising a pro-Israel "counter-protest" that will take place at the same place and time as the pro-Palestine sit-in.
Diulio wrote in the email that the protest is an opportunity for OU students to show their support for Israel.
"Many students are fearful, or are too afraid to speak; that there's no voice for the Israelis in this fight," Diulio wrote. "We will change that and ensure that Israeli voices are heard."
Diulio wrote in the email that OUPD has been notified of the protests and officers will be dispatched to ensure that the peace is kept.
OUPD policy is not to engage or interfere with people lawfully protesting unless it is determined public safety is presently or is about to be jeopardized, in which case OUPD is authorized to attempt to verbally persuade participants to disperse of their own accord.
OU Daily reached out to Diulio for a statement by email and a phone call but did not receive a response.
According to OU Mass Mail, or OUMM, guidelines listed by OU Information Technology, OUMM emails to OU students may be used by registered student organizations and university departments to communicate about university department or registered student organization events and programs. The full-time faculty or staff advisor of the registered student organization may send mass emails to OU students on behalf of the organization.
OU College Republicans is a registered student organization, SCPL is not.
The guidelines stipulate that any mass email must clearly identify who the email was sent to, include OUMM in the subject line, include the name and department of the sender and the full-time faculty or staff advisor who approved and initiated the mass email. The guidelines did not include any stipulations for the content of mass emails.
OU Daily reached out to Barksdale for information about the mass email and was referred back to the mass email's closure, which states: "As provided by University policy, Gary Barksdale has approved the application for distribution submitted with this email under the mass email policy. The approval is to the form of the application only, not to the content or viewpoint of the message. Approval of the form of this email for distribution under the mass email policy does not imply any position of the University."
When asked why he decided to approve the mass email and if the email had received any responses, Barksdale wrote "I have already answered to my supervisory personnel on the matter, so there is no further need for your inquiry, nor is there a need for further response on my part."
The Division of Student Affairs wrote in a statement to OU Daily it is aware of the mass email and the university is looking into the use of the OUMM system and associated policies and will address any misuse as appropriate.
"We understand the concerns surrounding these events, and we want to assure you that we are taking appropriate measures to address those concerns," a spokesperson for the division wrote.
"The University of Oklahoma remains committed to fostering an environment where student voices are heard and respected, and where dialogue can occur in a peaceful and respectful manner."
The Division added the Campus Event Response Team, or CERT, in collaboration with OUPD, will be present at the protests to monitor the situation and provide support as needed.
On Wednesday, SCPL shared safety guidelines for the protest in an Instagram post:
• Do not block entrances or restaurant access
• Take a seat at a table
• Do not engage with counter-protesters
• Masks are recommended
• Photographs will be taken. Cover any identifying features if you are worried about anonymity
• Be mindful of your environment and the people around you. There's potential for crowding.
SCPL added they expect the protest to be a relatively low-risk event, but that all necessary parties have been contacted and the coalition will follow necessary guidelines to ensure people's safety.
This story was edited by Anusha Fathepure and Peggy Dodd.
