On Nov. 2, students gathered to rally against the oppression of the Palestinian people by advocating for ending United States aid to Israel at the building 26A courtyard.

Mt. SAC’s Black Student Union, Pasifika club, Students for Socialism, and Mecha de Mt. SAC all helped organize the event following the recent violent action in Gaza.

The widespread outrage for the violence in Gaza has sparked debate on many places of learning in the United States.

Joseph Fachey, a student of Palestinian descent and a political science major, wants student voices to be heard. “Right now, we are seeing students educating other students and it shows unity within the campus,” Fachey said. “It may be a disruption, but I think we can take a disruption when [The United States] keeps into account the aid that we are giving to Israel.”

Adeeb Kabir Chowdhury, a second-year genetics student spoke in front of the crowd on a personal level, talking about how the loss of internet and power has caused his family in Gaza to go radio silent. “I have had relatives in Palestine that have passed away from what we can assume,” said Chowdhury. “We haven’t been able to get into contact, I have been advocating for Palestine since they don’t have a voice, I want everyone to fight for this injustice.”

Students with Palestinian backgrounds with other students rallied their support for Palestine in the face of a counter-protester, Dafna Golden, a geography professor at Mt. SAC. “Why can’t you shut them down?” Golden said to a Campus Safety officer.

“Israel has the right to defend itself,” Golden said. “Free the hostages.”

The rallying students were later told not to use any sound-amplifying devices. The students chanted: “We don’t need a mic! Be loud enough so they can hear us in Palestine!”

There have also been pro-Palestinian demonstrations at many other colleges and universities across California such as USC and California State University, Long Beach with many more to come in the future as Israel continues bombing Palestinian civilians in Gaza.

While students continue to find ways to express their First Amendment rights, the discussion of antisemitism and sympathizing with those affected on both sides by the conflict continues as universities now find themselves in the precarious position of intervening and violating the Constitution or allowing students, staff and faculty to exercise their unalienable rights regardless of the stance taken.