As Tennessee becomes a stage for the ideological battles over the Israel-Hamas war, student protests have emerged on multiple campuses across the state. Students at the University of the South, better known as Sewanee, began protesting early Tuesday morning, joining a nationwide movement sparked at Columbia University. "This is not an anti-war protest, this is an anti-genocide protest," a Sewanee student, Max McCloud, told News 2, emphasizing the need for unity in the student-led demonstrations.
The protest at Sewanee has yet to disrupt normal operations or damage university facilities, as university officials highlighted in an email to students. Simultaneously, at the University of Tennessee, groups supporting both Israel and Palestine converged. "The safety and wellbeing of our campus is our first priority," a University of Tennessee spokesperson stated, indicating that while the demonstrations have been civil, they continue to monitor any developments closely, as reported by WATE.
In a more assertive move, a contingent of Sewanee students have taken their protest to a new height, literally, by occupying the university's All Saints' Chapel, as Xan Mihalas, a protesting student, declared, "We are not lifting our occupation of All Saints Chapel until our demands are met or we’re forcibly removed," according to a statement obtained by WATE. Their demands include full disclosure of the university's $400 million endowment investments and divestment from companies they claim manufacture weapons used against Palestinians.
Meanwhile, Vanderbilt University acknowledged the presence of a small number of tents in protest on their campus but confirmed that the students have not been disruptive. However, News 2's outreach to Belmont University, Middle Tennessee State University, and Austin Peay State University has revealed no current protests. Across campuses, the core of the student protests remains a complex nexus of activism, education, and the desire for institutional transparency and moral accountability. "I can’t learn, but be complacent because that is exactly what allows genocide to continue," McCloud told News 2, giving voice to the impassioned stance of many involved.
At the University of Tennessee, the protests took on a dual narrative as pro-Israel counter-protesters also voiced their stance. One such student, Cade, aiming to show support for Israel, said, "I think it’s our right, and our American obligation, to come out and show that we’re prideful of this place," in an interview with WVLT News. As the situation unfolds, these institutions of higher education have become microcosms of the larger global debate, reflecting the deep divisions and impassioned opinions surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict.
