On Oct. 7, dozens of students, staff, faculty and community members rallied outside Scholes Hall, carrying handmade signs and Palestinian flags, in recognition of two years of "live-streamed genocide" in Gaza, according to the event Instagram post.
The rally was hosted by the University of New Mexico Students for Justice in Palestine, and concluded with a march to the Duck Pond and back to Scholes Hall, during which participants chanted “Disclose, divest, we will not stop, we will not rest.”
Noelia Mann, a PhD student and organizer with UNMSJP said the student organization continues with the goal of pressuring the University to divest from weapons manufacturing companies.
“We do not accept that (UNM) is investing any money in genocide,” Mann said.
The head of an independent United Nations commission concluded last month that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza and argues that countries that do not take action are complicit, according to the UN.
On Oct. 10, a ceasefire deal between Israel Hamas took effect, allowing thousands of Palestinians to return to what remains of their homes in Gaza according to the Associated Press. It is expected that all living and deceased Israeli hostages held in Gaza will be released, as Palestinians also await for hundreds Palestinian prisoners held in Israel to be released, along with a surge of aid to enter Gaza.
UNM Freshman Sophia Sweat said she was upset to learn about UNM’s investments in Israeli companies and didn’t know about the investments before coming to the rally.
“For UNM to physically be (investing) and for me to physically be going to this school, it just seems like we can be doing so much more,” Sweat said. “It's like ‘oh UNM is so good,’ which is like every college, but this is just a continuing cycle, and if one college doesn't break it, it's never going to break.”
Community members brought craft items to the demonstration including a cardboard boat representing a floatilla, and a string of handmade kites, each having the name of a child who has been killed in Gaza.
Early this month, 450 activists were arrested and deported when Israel intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was seeking to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza and deliver aid to famine-stricken territory, according to the Associated Press. The interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla was widely condemned and sparked worldwide protests.
“It feels like a moment where those of us who hold privileged identities, whether it might be through citizenship, or through our proximity to whiteness, it is a moment we can step up and take a little bit more risk than those of us in our community that need to be protected right now,” Mann said.
Late last month, a federal judge found the Trump administration to have violated the constitution when it targeted non-U.S. citizens for supporting Palestinians and criticizing Israel during similar protests in the U.S., according to the Associated Press.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
UNM Hillel Director Sara Koplik said she came to the rally to listen to speakers, and that she disagreed with their positions.
“While this is a terrible war with many who have died and been injured, I disagree with the characterization of it as a genocide or ethnic cleansing,” Koplik said. “If Israel had tried to wipe out the Palestinian people, people wouldn't still be alive.”
Roughly 11% of Gaza's population has been killed or injured and Israeli forces have killed more than 67,000 Palestinians and wounded nearly 170,000, with more than 40,000 of those wounded having life-altering injuries, according to NPR.
Anthropology faculty member Les Field spoke during the rally and said he teaches about the history and culture of Palestine and acknowledged that he’s able to do so because of his academic freedom.
“Participation in political or academic discourse should never expose members of this community to unwarranted surveillance or retribution,” Field said.
Koplick told the Daily Lobo that she appreciated Field’s comments about academic freedom.
“I think that's very important,” Koplik said. ”So there's lots that we have in common. I think it's really important that we all come together in a place of learning and respect, and that's the most important thing we can do.”
UNM freshman students Riley Padilla and Rose Al Shamari said they were glad to see an action being organized on campus because of their shared feeling of helplessness.
“I think it's very important to speak out and not stay silent when our tax money is going to fund killing babies,” Al Shamari said.
UNM sophomore Kaitlyn Caggiano and senior Nina Zahnle showed up to the rally and said they also participated in the Los Angeles protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids this summer.
Zahnle said that even though watching the news can be disheartening, it's important to “be political” and take a stand.
“Until Palestine is free, we can't enjoy our lives here knowing that something like that is going on, just on a human level,” Zahnle said. “I feel like it's our duty as students to stand up for what we know is right and make sure that people around you in your social circles and in your classes know what's going on.”
Leila Chapa is the social media editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at socialmedia@dailylobo.com or on X @lchapa06
Paloma Chapa is the multimedia editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at multimedia@dailylobo.com or on X @paloma_chapa88
Editors note 10/13/25: This story has been updated from its original version to reflect the event flyer.
Leila Chapa is the social media editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at socialmedia@dailylobo.com or on X @lchapa06
Paloma Chapa is the multimedia editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at multimedia@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @paloma_chapa88
