The message began before Columbia University, but it has spread like wildfire over the past few weeks.

Pro-Palestinian student protestors at Northern Michigan University have gathered on the lawn of the college’s academic mall with tents and signs, prepared to stay until Friday.

This encampment, along with many others on college campuses across the country, are a way for students to raise awareness of the plight of citizens of the Gaza Strip. Many, including these students, are protesting what they see as a genocide against Palestinians by Israeli forces.

Protestors continue to advocate for their demands of the school. They want a condolence email from administration acknowledging the impact the conflict has on mental health, a public statement condemning the genocide and a disclosure of all financial agreements with Israel’s Tel Aviv University.

A previous request that the flag be lowered in honor of the deceased Palestinians, has been denied due to the many local, state and federal approvals that go into flag lowering.

“We’re very much inspired by Columbia (University) and the encampments that have been popping up at over 100 universities,” said NMU History department teacher’s aide Piper Kraft, explaining the importance of knowing where their money is going. “Divestment is extremely important and it’s our job to make that change, because if no one’s going to do it, we might as well try.”

Kraft also said a number of professors from the history department have lent their support to the encampment including Nick Dupras and department head Alan Willis.

On Monday, Willis assisted Kraft and other students in creating a new organization — called Students for Peace and Equality — to help other student clubs in organizing peaceful protests.

“There’s just been a lot of police brutality against protestors and a lot of infringement on free speech … infringement on peaceful protesting,” Kraft said. “So we’ve been really mindful of that and how we can best stay safe ourselves while also keeping our protests going.”

One student named Ryan said he’s “never really been part of an organization” before but is glad to be protesting with fellow students.

“They’re very welcoming,” he said. “The movement is really good to see overall. It’s just good to make (people aware) up here. It’s the U.P. so it’s not like we’re gonna be in the thick of things but … it feels good to just keep moving forward.”

As members of the media, it isn’t our role to take sides on these issues, but to simply report them objectively as they take place. However, we are always glad to see young people use their First Amendment right to assemble and express their views through peaceful protest. If you believe in it, stand up for it.