Approximately 100 students gathered at UMass Amherst to hold a vigil for individuals affected by humanitarian crises in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, Lebanon, and Palestine. The event featured speeches and discussions on the importance of solidarity and awareness, highlighting a shared commitment to advocating for vulnerable populations amidst ongoing conflicts.
On Thursday, September 26th, at 7 p.m., approximately 100 students convened on the sidewalk adjacent to the Student Union and the Campus Pond lawn at the University of Massachusetts Amherst to hold a vigil in solidarity with individuals affected by ongoing crises in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, Lebanon, and Palestine. This event was organized through a shared announcement on social media platforms by the UMass Amherst Students for Justice in Palestine, the UMass Amherst Arab Cultural Association, and the African Students Association. The vigil’s purpose was to reflect on the exacerbating humanitarian situation in these regions: the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to experience severe conflict; in Lebanon, aerial bombardments and Israeli airstrikes have intensified; while Sudan faces dire shortages of essential resources including food, water, medicine, and fuel, resulting in widespread famine and the displacement of millions. In Gaza, civilian casualties rise amid ongoing military actions, as reported by Al Jazeera, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stating that Israel will persist in its hostilities until “total victory” is achieved. Despite light rain falling throughout the event, students utilized umbrellas and sought shelter under nearby trees. Participants were encouraged to voice their thoughts regarding the significance of the vigil, with some stepping forward to share their sentiments. Ridha Alam, a senior biology major and President of the South Asian Student Association, remarked, “It is really important for people to go up there and use your voice for the voiceless and really open your hearts. It is really easy to focus on what makes us so different, but if you think about it, we are all fundamentally the same.” Following the speeches, attendees engaged in small group discussions, exchanging perspectives on the issues at hand. Senior Maya Glenn expressed her motivation to attend the vigil by recalling her experience at last year’s event. She stated, “I feel like if we can come out and at least acknowledge what is happening on campus altogether, maybe it can give us the push to speak out more, to know that we are a collective.” Glenn notably pointed out the vigil’s location, emphasizing its significance as it was the site of a previous encampment where many students had been arrested and mistreated. “There is power to [where the vigil is located],” Glenn articulated. “This is where the encampment was held…and then we come here to speak up and share and embrace each other. There is something pretty symbolic and powerful about it.” A Lebanese student participating in the vigil highlighted the importance of communal support, noting, “No matter what, everyone, in some way, is affected by these [events]. Whether you are ethnically related to these issues or if you are just empathetic to the cause.” The student further articulated that the struggles associated with these crises are interconnected, emphasizing our shared humanity: “Even if we are Palestinian or Lebanese, wherever we are from, we are the same in that we are one humanity and one people at the end of the day.”,
The vigil at the University of Massachusetts Amherst arises from a context of escalating humanitarian crises across several regions, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, Lebanon, and Palestine. Each region faces varying degrees of conflict and suffering, leading to widespread displacement and resource shortages. The event reflected a collective effort among students to bring attention to these crises, emphasizing the importance of solidarity and awareness in academic and social communities. Through coordinated efforts from campus organizations, the vigil aimed to foster dialogue and raise consciousness about global issues affecting vulnerable populations.
In summary, the vigil held at UMass Amherst epitomized the students’ commitment to standing in solidarity with those affected by crises in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, Lebanon, and Palestine. The students engaged in meaningful discussions, highlighting their shared humanity and the collective responsibility to advocate for those whose voices often go unheard. Through this gathering, they affirmed their resolve to raise awareness and develop a deeper understanding of the humanitarian issues at play.
Original Source: dailycollegian.com
