This story was originally published by The 19th.
Students from Gallaudet University, a college designed for the deaf and hard of hearing, joined the pro-Palestinian encampment at George Washington University. As founding members of Gallaudet’s Students for Justice in Palestine chapter, they conducted meetings in American Sign Language to create an inclusive space for Deaf protesters. The involvement of ASL interpreters ensured that Deaf students could fully participate in the protest.
The encampment, initially occupied by George Washington University students, grew to include protesters from various local campuses. U.S. student protesters across the country have been advocating for universities to divest from companies with ties to Israel in response to the ongoing conflict.
On May 8, the police cleared the George Washington University encampment, leading to the arrest of 33 protesters, including a volunteer interpreter from Gallaudet. Despite challenges, Deaf students and volunteers remained committed to the protest, highlighting issues related to accessibility and respect for Deaf culture.
As the conflict continues, Deaf activists and allies are striving to amplify their voices and support the cause of collective liberation.