Student activism at the University of Houston and Rice University took on a visible form this week, remaining largely peaceful as protests swept through Texas campuses. The Houston Chronicle reported that students were demanding their universities divest from companies linked to Israel amidst the Gaza conflict, echoing actions at Columbia University, the University of Southern California, and UT Austin. In response to the disturbances elsewhere, Rice and UH students advocated for Palestine in a manner that skirted the edge of free speech policies while striving to maintain respectful dialogue.
At Rice, a patch of greenspace was transformed into a 'liberated zone,' where students participated in study hours, live music, and educational programming about the Middle East conflict, but Rice officials requested students to leave the area, the occupied zone was disbanded as Rice neared the semester's end, and media access was restricted. According to a Houston Chronicle interview, organizer Anna Rajagopal highlighted the community support, saying, "The entire Houston community is galvanized around the student movement right now."
Meanwhile, at the University of Houston, students took a creative approach to circumvent limitations on protests through attire and activities, donning homemade T-shirts with pro-Palestinian slogans and using USPS labels as stickers for their cause. The university referenced Texas law in a statement that challenged the feasibility of divestment demands made by protesters, noting that public institutions are barred from engaging in such boycotts. However, the demonstrations grew in size, concluding with a rally on the Student Center South floor with no sign of university or police interference, despite a state trooper vehicle's reported presence outside the building during the protest, according to a Chron article.
The approach to these protests seemed somewhat influenced by Governor Greg Abbott's executive order, which called on universities to scrutinize free speech policies amidst accusations of antisemitism. The order mentioned pro-Palestinian student groups by name and indicated possible expulsion for offending students, and following a crackdown at UT Austin by the Department of Public Safety, Abbott reinforced his stance on such protests. Nevertheless, Houston student demonstrations highlighted the diverse community's direct connections to the situation in Gaza, underscoring the personal stakes for many involved.
As these peaceful protests convey a blend of art and activism, participants are keenly aware of the balance between expression and adherence to university policies. Rice University's exhibition with the Climate Justice Museum provided a unique venue where students discussed and showcased their views without summoning administrative intervention, even as they noted the nearby presence of university police. These efforts, seen as acts of solidarity, seek to bring the realities of an international conflict into a local, academic setting, demonstrating the interconnectedness of global issues and campus life.
