Reflections from the Popular University for Gaza at UMich
It’s about building relationships that sustain us as we work toward a more just and peaceful world.
By Jackie Barlow
In a world where news of mass arrests, police brutality, and violence on campuses has become a mainstay, there are moments of quiet resistance and profound connection that often go unnoticed. These moments don’t make headlines, but they are the seeds of a better world.
This is my story of experiencing one such moment at the Popular University for Gaza at UMich.
When I first approached the student encampment, I was prepared for tension and perhaps even chaos. Instead, I was greeted with a warm smile, calm energy, and a detailed rundown of the day’s schedule and the encampments amenities. It was a reminder that despite the turmoil and conflict we hear about, there are still places where people come together in peace and solidarity.
The community encampment offered a full day of teach-ins, workshops, meals, and prayers. The energy was calm yet purposeful, a stark contrast to the turmoil we’re seeing in the news. It was a place where individuals could share their stories, learn from each other, and strengthen their resolve to work toward justice.
One workshop on grounding particularly caught my attention, and I decided to join. As we sat in a circle, a hospital chaplain spoke about the importance of grounding ourselves as activists. It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the enormity of the challenges we face and the horrific images, but grounding allows us to stay focused and maintain our humanity.
During the workshop, we shared what was weighing heavily on our hearts. Voicing our heartbreak over the ongoing genocide was cathartic. I was struck by the compassion and empathy in the circle of strangers. Despite our differences, we were united by our shared humanity and commitment to creating a better world.
As I left the workshop, I felt connected in a way I hadn’t expected. The encampment was more than a gathering of student activists; it was a community built on moral clarity and a shared sense of purpose. It was a space where we could be vulnerable, support each other, and find the strength to continue the work.
Soma, a local, visited the encampment with CODEPINK and shared her observation; “ It was an absolutely peaceful scenario. One young person with an Israeli flag draped around him and an elderly lady with an Israeli flag was standing nearby. I did not see any hostility between the encampment students and these two demonstrators. These students who are camped out in the Diag are there from a genuine sense of justice and peace for the Palestinian people.”
This is the story I believe we are all called to participate in. It’s not all about grand gestures or dramatic confrontations. It’s about coming together in quiet moments, listening to each other, and finding common ground. It’s about building relationships that sustain us as we work toward a more just and peaceful world.
Jackie Barlow is a member of the CODEPINK Michigan chapter. You follow the amazing work CODEPINK Michigan is doing on Instagram.
Thank you for sharing your experience at the UM solidarity Encampment! As a member of the Ann Arbor community, I drop by with food as often as I can. But I also go there to soak up some of the atmosphere. It's amazing to me that the students are not only bravely facing off against the war machine but that they're doing it by creating an encampment that's an example of the kind of caring world I want to live in. Everything is shared. Everyone is cared for . It's positively bedazzling.