“Week of Rage” sparks the interest of campus bystanders and protests the war in Gaza a year after the Hamas attack

The “Week of Rage,” organized by the groups Pittsburgh to Palestine and Pitt Apartheid Divest, coincided with the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel. The week of planned vigils and demonstrations was aimed at reflecting on this ongoing Israel-Hamas war and continued to call on Pitt to withdraw from Israel.

The events began with a Community vigil on Oct. 7 in Schenley Park to honor the appraisal Israel killed 42,000 people in Gaza last year. On Wednesday, October 9, students and community members gathered outside the William Pitt Union to protest against the war in Gaza, which was met with organized counter-protest.

The week ended Friday with a walkout and teach-in in front of the Cathedral of Learning. Participants were encouraged to wear kaffiyehs – traditional Arabic head coverings – throughout the week to show their support.

Some students who were not affiliated with either organization saw the demonstrations from an outside perspective, on their way to class or while staying in these areas.

Because Pitt’s campus is so large, many students don’t even notice such demonstrations. Sofia Hunt, a first-year political science major, said she thinks demonstrations are “super important” but seems to miss most of them.

“I usually catch the back end of them. So I’m just watching for a little bit, but I still need to educate myself,” Hunt said as she sat next to the latest strike rally and worked on her computer. “I study political science and could definitely know more about current demonstrations. But it’s really interesting to see.”

Other students shared the same feeling of interest. As the class began, many people slowed down to watch or stopped to listen to what was being said. One of those students, Madison Holcomb, a first-year anthropology student, said she thought it was “cool that they were doing something about it” as she watched from the grass a few feet away.

“I think this is important, especially after last year when they got the police involved,” Holcomb said. “I just think it’s important that they do.”

While some didn’t have time to stop and rush to class or work, they still took note of what was going on. Oliver Hayes, a second-year computer science student, watched the procession of protesters as he walked past the cathedral.

“I don’t live on campus, but I still see [the demonstrations] and support it,” Hayes said. “I think they have every right to do whatever they want and exercise their First Amendment rights. That’s why I support it.”

Morgan Haught, a social work major, said she noticed few protests while on campus and none really affected her.

“While I was on campus, there were some protests, like the other day when they were walking to school from Carnegie. I think it was about Gaza,” Haught said. “This type of teaching broke up the class a little bit, but it didn’t really do anything for me.”

While many students see these demonstrations, some say they are not always aware of the issue or issues these protests are intended to address. Haught said she only knows the basics of the purpose of these protests.

“I’m not educated enough to comment on the specific issue,” Haught said. “But I’m sure the people involved are doing it out of the goodness of their hearts and because they believe in it.”

Nina Sacco, a second-year architecture student, said she has similar feelings about her place on campus.

“I’ve only seen a few on campus so far, but from what I’ve seen they seem pretty peaceful. They’re pretty concentrated in one place,” Sacco said. “I’ve seen quite large crowds around the cathedral at the Palestine rallies, and there’s usually a lot of police presence there, but I don’t think anything really happens.”