War protest by Wright State’s Main Campus | Photo Provided by A. Tassy
This week on campus, SDS– or Students for a Democratic Society– is hosting a week of action. The week will focus on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and peace for Palestinians to bring awareness to the one year anniversary of extreme intensification of genocide in occupied territories.
What is Students for a Democratic Society?
SDS is a small activist organization on campus with the goal of encouraging activism and fighting for what is right in today’s political environment.
Christian Hunt, a representative for SDS, talks about the club's motivations.
“We are a small group that focuses on grassroots political work, so events like [the week of action] are what we will continue doing to fight for what is right,” Hunt said.
What are the facts on the conflict?
According to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Hamas is a militant group committed to armed resistance against Israel.
“[Hamas] is committed to armed resistance against Israel and to the creation of a Palestinian state, and the group has engaged in several rounds of violent conflict with Israel,” the website states.
On Oct. 7, 2023, tensions escalated in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israel. This resulted in the death of roughly 1,200 people. The fight has continued to rage on since 2023 and has led to the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians.
The U.S. declared Hamas a foreign terrorist organization in October 1997.
There are many websites that are tracking the death toll in both Gaza and Israel, including news website Aljazeera. On their main page, they provide real-time news updates on the conflict; they also have a dedicated page that regularly provides updates of the casualties.
As of Oct. 6, the death toll in Gaza has reached a staggering 41,870 people, including 16,765 children. 1,139 people have been killed on the Israeli side as well.
“Israeli attacks have [also] damaged more than half of Gaza’s homes (damaged or destroyed), 80 percent of commercial facilities [and] 87 percent of school buildings,” Aljazeera states.
More information regarding the death, injury, and missing people tolls, as well as the reported damage to structures in Gaza, can be found here.
The week of action
As this week marks the one year anniversary since Hamas launched its attack on Israel, SDS is holding a week of action to spread awareness and stand up for the innocent civilians who have become involved in the conflict.
On Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 6 p.m. the group watched a documentary titled “The Night Won’t End: Biden’s War on Gaza.” This documentary goes into detail on the Biden administration’s support of Israel, and also reports on families actively in the line of conflict.
The film is available for free on Youtube for those who did not attend the event.
On Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 6 p.m., there will be a protest on the corner of Colonel Glenn Hwy. and Center Road, near the Creative Arts Center.
“We will be protesting for peace for the Palestinians and divestment by WSU from entities that are complicit in the ongoing genocide,” Hunt stated.
On Sunday, Oct. 13 in the Wright State University fitness center, members of SDS will be supporting and attending a self-defense class, hosted by Palestinian Ramy Daoud, who is hoping to raise funds for his family in Gaza..
“We stand for the complete right for self-determination for all peoples across the globe, and will continue to fight for full rights and statehood for the Palestinians,” Hunt said.
How to get involved with the club
SDS hosts weekly meetings in the Emerald Room (010 Student Union) on Mondays at 3 p.m. and is open to all students. You can also reach out to Hunt at hunt.163@wright.edu.
“We believe that it is necessary to fight for Palestine, demilitarization, racial justice, women’s and LGBTQIA+ liberation, and a host of other issues. If you are passionate about fighting for these things, we have a space for you,” Hunt says.
While the group is currently on the smaller size, they are dedicated to spreading awareness and fighting for justice and the rights of many marginalized peoples.
How to raise awareness of the war
Participating in events and protests against the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a good way for students to get their foot in the door of activism.
Those who want the conflict to cease can also contact their local Congressman, boycott companies that are funding the conflict, donate to families and affected people and more.
Jennifer Bing through the American Friends Service Committee lists these steps and more ways to get involved here.
It is important for us as a society to fight for what is right, especially when thousands of innocent lives are at stake, and many more have already been lost.
