URBANA — It has been one year since students at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign broke campus rules to form a major Pro-Palestinian encampment. For nearly two weeks, hundreds gathered on the Quad to demand the U of I pull back its financial investments from weapons companies and the state of Israel.
One year later, the campus’ political climate is in a much different place. Students are more hesitant to protest — and for many, their decision to speak out has taken a toll.
Activists have to think twice before acting
“What am I willing to sacrifice for this cause?” said Jana, a Students for Justice in Palestine organizer. She said this is what many activists are asking themselves since last year’s encampment.
Jana helped organize the encampment and is using an alias after she asked IPM News to keep her identity anonymous for safety reasons.
With a new president in the White House, many are facing even more consequences for speaking out on Palestine. The Trump administration has revoked visas for dozens of international students at the U of I – And many more nationwide for their involvement in protests.
Following the encampment, the University sanctioned SJP and other student groups. Another SJP organizer – who is using the alias Noor for safety thinks administrators are trying to make it harder to protest.
“Fear mongering is a really big tactic that the university uses, and last semester it was something that was difficult to come out from,” said Noor.
Even last year, some weren’t willing to take the risk and protest in the encampment.
Community Palestinian and activist – Dua Aldasouqi – is very involved in organizing and participating in many Pro-Palestine events, but still didn’t participate.
“Years ago, it was like, Okay, you stand up for Palestine. That’s the fight,” she said. “Now we’re also fighting the ability to stand up for Palestine.”
Aldasouqi said back then, she didn’t want to get arrested and lose her ability to keep mobilizing for the cause. However, even today she would still need to take time to weigh the consequences before deciding how to approach another encampment.
For several students, the decision to protest has come at a cost. According to organizers – about eight University students and local residents were charged with mob action felonies.
Mob Action is the act of two or more people coming together with intention commit a violent crime. Attorney Evan Bruno said that’s not the case with his clients. His firm is representing four of the defendants.
Bruno said the proof of a criminal act is supposed to come before charges, but in these cases, it’s the opposite.
“It’s the protest itself that must be punished, and now we need to grasp the straws to find something that they did that was wrong and that worries me.”
One student protestor was initially charged with Felony Mob Action, but reached an agreement to have his charges dropped. He’s also chosen to remain anonymous for safety reasons.
He said he wants to continue standing up for Palestinians, but now he has to think first before deciding how.
“It’s a bit frustrating to not know exactly what would feel the best for me, what would where I would fit in best.”
In this changing political climate, activists on the U of I campus are looking for new and safer ways to continue to fight for what they believe in.
Noor with Students for Justice in Palestine says the group is making sure people know their rights and how to protect themselves when making their voices heard.
“These precautions that we’re taking are just a set like just prove how much the university is complacent in protecting their students.”
SJP has decided against an encampment this year.
Noor said an encampment is not the only way to make a difference and they are still looking for different ways to take a stand.
New protest policies contribute to fear
The summer after the pro-Palestinian encampments, the U of I updated its policies on free speech.
When the group Students for Environmental Concerns planned a protest in September, they tried to follow those rules.
“We were on the steps of Follinger Hall, and we left two stairways on both sides so people could get to class,” one of the SEC protesters said. “It was our goal to make a disturbance. It was not our goal to shut down classes.”
Despite the attempt, the university disciplined this student and others in the group. Speaking at a protest in April, she asked to remain anonymous, because she was censured and further censures at other protests would mean greater consequences.
Her punishment was to write an essay about what she did wrong.
“It was difficult to write, because of a lot of these things we were being charged with,” the student said.
University spokesperson Robin Kaler has said Students for Environmental Concerns violated longstanding policies, like obstructing pedestrian traffic and using a bullhorn within 50 feet of a classroom. She said many demonstrations have happened on campus since the recent policy changes without incident.
“We have policies in place to protect and support the rights of our students, faculty and staff,” Kaler added.
She said the update to the expressive activity policy was sparked by the spring protests.
“We updated it because many people who were participating in expressive activities in the spring of 2024 told us that the policies in place at the time were not clear, were sometimes confusing to them and were not easy to find. So, we worked to consolidate and clarify them.”
But students say the policy combined with what they’ve seen happen to other protesters, are having a chilling effect on free expression.
This includes a student with Coalición Estudiante Latine, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of backlash from either the university or the Trump administration for protesting.
“A lot of members of our community have a lot to lose if they get caught. They might lose scholarships,” the CEL student said. “They might be removed from the school, and for a lot of us, our community back home is dependent on us getting an education.”
He said the policies around noise levels, space reservations and having to identify yourself to campus staff create fear. He wanted the university to roll back its recent policy changes and listen to students — saying when they protest, they’re voicing a disconnect between students and administrators.
According to Kaler, campus administrative policies are reviewed every three years but can be updated in between if needed.