Pro-Palestine Protesters Occupy Institute of Politics Building in Chicago

Pro-Palestine protesters made a bold statement on Friday, May 17, when they briefly occupied the Institute of Politics (IOP) building on South Woodlawn Avenue. The protesters were rallying against the war in Gaza and the presence of the University of Chicago Police Department (UCPD) on the South Side, among other issues.

The building occupation stemmed from an afternoon rally on the Midway Plaisance, organized by a group of “autonomous alumni” but promoted online by the student coalition UChicago United for Palestine (UCUP). After less than half an hour, UCPD officers entered the IOP and the protesters quickly exited the building. The demonstrators then rallied in front of the IOP and later marched to University President Paul Alivisatos’s house.

This event followed a previous encampment organized on the main quad by UCUP, which was raided by police nearly two weeks prior. The actions on Friday drew a strong police presence, with at least two dozen Chicago Police Department (CPD) and UCPD vehicles present throughout the evening. Some UCPD officers were equipped with riot gear, including shields and helmets.

During the building occupation, protesters hung Palestinian flags and banners advocating for Palestinian liberation and calling for an end to gentrification from the IOP’s windows and roof. They also hung a piñata-style effigy of Alivisatos from a tree in front of the IOP.

Multiple student organizers emphasized that the occupation was planned and carried out by an autonomous group of protesters unaffiliated with UCUP. The protesters shared a statement via the Telegram messaging app channel “Disrupt U of Chicago,” outlining their goals and mission for the takeover.

UCPD Chief Kyle Bowman stated that officers were allowing protesters to peacefully exercise their First Amendment rights and were surveying the damage inside the building. The University also issued a statement, emphasizing its commitment to upholding the rights of protesters while ensuring public safety and protecting property.

Tensions rose at various points during the protest, with one incident involving a protester allegedly holding a brick on the front lawn of the Rohr Chabad Center. By the end of the evening, most protesters had dispersed, with one organizer emphasizing that the protest was about Palestine, not about the protesters themselves.

Overall, the occupation of the IOP building was a dramatic and impactful demonstration by pro-Palestine protesters, highlighting their commitment to advocating for their cause and raising awareness of the ongoing issues in the region.