Students at the University of Chicago have canceled a long-standing tradition in response to the arrest of a fellow student during a protest.
Chicago: So, the University of Chicago students decided to cancel Kuvia, a tradition that’s been around for decades. They’re protesting the arrest of Mamayan Jabateh, a student involved in a pro-Palestinian protest last fall.
Jabateh, a senior, was arrested on December 11 and is facing serious charges, including aggravated battery against a police officer. It all started during a protest back in October, where things got a bit out of hand.
They were just chilling in their dorm, working on a paper during finals week, when the cops showed up and arrested them. Jabateh said it was shocking and didn’t know what to think at that moment.
Before the arrest, Jabateh was busy planning Kuvia, which is all about wellness and community. But with everything going on, they felt it wouldn’t make sense to hold the event this year.
Jabateh and Gifty Asomah, another student involved, believe canceling Kuvia sends a strong message to the university. They want to show support for Jabateh and make it clear that students won’t just let things go back to normal.
Asomah mentioned that if you fight for something, people will rally behind you. It’s all about using their voices to stand up for what they believe in.
Jabateh, who was set to graduate soon, is now unsure about their future at the university. They’re worried about how this situation will affect their plans for graduate school.
With everything happening in Gaza, Jabateh feels it’s crucial to speak out. They’re using their platform to highlight the injustices faced by Palestinians and emphasize the importance of activism.
