CSU Students Launch Hunger Strike for Gaza Divestment

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Students from various CSU campuses unite in a hunger strike to advocate for divestment from defense contractors.

News Summary

Students from multiple California State University campuses have initiated a hunger strike demanding divestment from defense contractors. Beginning on May 5, 2023, the protest aims to raise awareness about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, exacerbated by an Israeli blockade. Over 30 students are participating, highlighting food shortages and the plight of vulnerable populations in the region. Organized by ‘Students for Justice in Palestine,’ the protest emphasizes the need for CSU to sever financial ties with companies linked to the ongoing conflict.

California – Students from multiple campuses in the California State University (CSU) system, including CSU Long Beach, Sacramento State, San Francisco State, and San Jose State, have initiated a hunger strike to demand divestment from major defense contractors in response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The strike began on May 5, 2023, amidst reports from the World Food Programme indicating severe hunger and malnutrition risks for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians due to an Israeli blockade of aid into the region.

For over two months, Israel has restricted humanitarian aid entering Gaza, which has led to critical food shortages in the area. As a result, the number of hunger strikers has risen to over 30 students across these CSU campuses. The protest is organized by the group “Students for Justice in Palestine,” aiming to raise awareness about the dire situation faced by Palestinians and pressuring the university system to sever financial ties with defense companies accused of complicity in the ongoing conflict.

The hunger strike is a symbolic protest designed to highlight the humanitarian crisis resulting from the blockade. It comes at a particularly urgent time, as the World Food Programme reported that all supported bakeries in Gaza closed on March 31 due to a lack of essential supplies such as wheat flour and cooking fuel. The last distribution of food aid occurred in late March, raising fears that vulnerable populations, including children, pregnant women, and the elderly, will face severe hunger.

Students participating in the hunger strike are taking safety precautions, including consuming water mixed with electrolytes and having their vitals monitored regularly. Some have reported experiencing symptoms like lightheadedness, muscle cramps, and fatigue, making it challenging to focus on studies, especially during final exams. Medical professionals are actively supervising the health of the strikers, and some individuals have had to withdraw due to health-related concerns.

While students are calling for a change in investment policies, the CSU Chancellor’s Office has stated that the hunger strike will not influence their investment decisions. Despite this, students are hopeful that their activism will echo past successful movements that led to divestment decisions at San Francisco State. Additionally, it has been noted that CSU Long Beach has seen a reduction in investments in some defense contractors, which the university attributed to market value changes over recent years.

The activists strongly argue that the CSU system’s financial connections to defense companies like Boeing, Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman are unacceptable, especially given the crisis unfolding in Gaza. The students’ actions are part of a larger international response and reflect a growing movement of solidarity with the Palestinian cause.

The current protests and hunger strikes represent the students’ commitment to advocating for changes that align with their humanitarian concerns. As the situation in Gaza remains dire, the CSU students’ efforts serve as a vital reminder of the interconnectedness of global issues and the power of student activism in driving social and political changes.