CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Students at UNC Charlotte are seeing classmates hosting an encampment while protesting daily against the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Over the last week, more students have come out with Palestinian flags and tents on campus. The University of North Carolina at Charlotte Encampment Coalition is leading the charge in voicing discomfort with the university’s ties to the Mount Zion archaeological project. The coalition says the project, done in partnership with Israel, directly promotes the displacement of Palestinians.
“I would say here, it’s been peaceful,” said Sean McCarty, a senior at Charlotte, adding “definitely on physical altercations, there’s no riot squads coming in.”
The protest encampment happening on Charlotte's campus is just one of several that have popped up across the U.S. recently. Demonstrations have also taken place at UNC-Chapel Hill as well as Columbia University. While the protest has been relatively peaceful at UNC Charlotte, others have seen clashes with pro-Israel groups and police.
Jailon Lewis visited the campus Wednesday and remarked about the nature of what was happening at Charlotte.
“I do like that they’re bringing awareness but not being destructive about it," she said. “As long as things remain safe, I have no problem with people exercising their freedom of speech.”
A university spokesperson shared this statement with WCNC Charlotte:
The university’s Demonstration Activity Resource Team is on-site to explain campus policies and the consequences that can result for students and other protestors who do not follow them.
Contact Myles Harris at mharris5@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.