On a cold winter night earlier this month I had the opportunity to take part in a craft night initiative taking place on campus, which is in association with Acadia Collective for the Liberation of Palestine. The student association advocates for an liberated Palestine, and Acadia University’s divestment from companies complicit in the genocide. This has included a scholar strike, teach-ins, two open letters to Acadia administration and now recurring weekly protests, taking place outside the Student Union Building on Thursdays from 12:30 to 1:00 pm. The university administration’s lack of action reveals the infuriating reality of student activists demanding change for institutions that just can’t seem to bring themselves to care. Despite these obstacles the group is not backing down or quieting their voices.
A ceasefire agreement was reached on January 17th, but Palestinians continue to suffer and the agreement sits in peril. Israel has continually broken the terms of the ceasefire agreement. Israeli airstrikes and shootings continue to be reported, and Israel has prevented the entrance of urgently needed basic aid items and shelter into Gaza. Al Jazeera reports that only 8 500 of 12 000 trucks carrying food and other basic aid have been let into Gaza, and only 10% of the promised 200 000 tents. This has been compounded by the threats of United States President, Donald Trump. Trump’s heinous comments include discussion of forcing Palestinians out of Gaza to facilitate a US “take over” and the creation of a “Riviera of the Middle East.”
The weekly craft nights are taking place every Monday from 7:00 to 9:00 pm in the BAC, room 203. Students and community members are invited to come and participate in creating crafts, which can then be sold to help raise awareness as well as funds for Palestinian relief efforts. Craft materials are supplied but participants are also welcome to bring their own. Completed crafts are posted to the group Instagram account, art4.gaza, and students can DM the account to ask for a certain item to be reserved for them when they make a donation of any amount of money to whichever relief organization they choose. The group linktree offers a list of recommended foundations to donate to. Students and community members can pick up items at the following craft night or arrange for another time. Acadia Collective for the Liberation of Palestine can be found on Instagram at acadia4liberatedpalestine.