The pro-Palestine encampment at DU has been ongoing on the Carnegie Green since the morning of May 9. 

According to DU For Palestine Instagram, Protestors at the encampment plan to stay put until the following demands are met: “The University of Denver shall (1) disclose all of its investments as a form of accountability to all its community members. (2) divest from all companies invested and responsible for the illegal occupation, apartheid and genocide of Palestinians in the West Bank, Gaza, and historic Palestine. (3) boycott Israel academically and economically and (4) defend the right to protest, free speech on campus and provide full amnesty for students, faculty and staff in support of non-violent Palestine liberation.”

This protest has brought together a community of activists fighting for a cause they are passionate about. Although the DU Clarion, other news organizations and internal media teams have been constantly updating on the status of the camp, it has seldom been discussed what goes on at the encampment outside of the rallies, speakers, and conversations with administration and counter-protestors. This brings up the question — how are these campers passing the time, staying positive and building community? 

DU undergraduate and graduate students have built a mini-society full of passion for Palestine, but also full of love and connectedness with one another. Most would agree that camping out all day and all night isn’t easy, especially given the mental toll this situation has taken on activists worldwide. To stay positive, students have found ways to bring the camp to light with arts and crafts, music, games and more. 

On the first day of the encampment, there was a lot of decorating done. This included sign-making, flag hanging and more. Students brought their art supplies to camp and got to work right away, creating beautiful pieces of protest art and Palestinian flags to represent the reason they were all there – for a free and liberated Palestine. 

Amongst a food and medical tent was also a creative tent, where students sat together to paint, draw, crochet and weave beautiful creations to either wear or put up at camp. 

The solidarity and community feelings were made clear as students shared paintbrushes, paints and other craft supplies so that each and every protestor could create something they were proud of. Although the red, green, black and white Palestinian flag was the most common project in the craft tent, people also crocheted watermelons and wrote out messages on paper and clothing like “Jews for ceasefire” and “hands off Rafah,” using colorful paints and other craft supplies made available. 

Day by day, the camp became filled with decorations and art pieces made by DU community members. The arts and crafts have continued to be a part of everyday life at the camp, with programming even including an “art circle” in the schedule. In recent days, an “art team” was created as an operations team within the camp, for those who wanted to continue the creative activism. 

One of the chants in the camp is “We Keep Us Safe,” referring to the community care required to protect all members of the encampment. Social work student Liz Attaway spoke on the importance of this phrase when it comes to organizing times of play and joy. 

“These times of creativity are pertinent to ensuring that camp is sustainable because we cannot pour from an empty cup and the way we replenish our cups is by sitting in community and doing things that bring us joy,” said Attaway. 

Carving out time to get creative and do something with your hands is important in keeping the camp positive.

Another way the members of the encampment have built community and strength is through music. One of the organizers led protests in songs from the Poor Peoples Campaign, with inspiring lyrics like “I am not afraid, I am not afraid, I will stand for liberation cuz’ I know why I was made,” and “we are a new unsettling force and we are powerful, a new unsettling force and we are here, we are a new unsettling force for liberation and we have nothing to lose but our chains.” 

After a few repeating verses, everyone seemed to get the hang of it. Moments like these on camp lighten the mood while continuing to prioritize the mission and power of the camp and its goals. 

“We sing songs of revolution and protest and freedom for Palestine,” said Attaway.

In the initial days, counter-protestors attempted to disrupt programming events such as guest speakers invited to camp and other rallies that took place. Despite this, the community stayed strong by not engaging with harmful comments and continuing to dance the day away.  

The camp has continued to practice safety drills such as surrounding the nucleus of the camp arm-in-arm, and practicing what to say to police and administration. Despite the seriousness of the situation, members were able to connect with one another during these drills — literally and figuratively, sharing some laughs and moments of silliness. 

As night falls, campers find joy in dancing to music and playing games. On the night of May 13, a few of the organizers brought games and glow sticks for campers to ease tensions at camp. 

“[Game night] was after a rally that had been flooded by counter-protestors, so it was nice to have the dancing as an act of connection and joy,” said Attaway. They added that “having joy in the face of the oppressors is resistance.” 

The graveness of the situation and the escalation of counter-protestors, administrative resistance and threats from higher-ups have made it difficult for the campers to stay positive. Keeping this in mind while also giving themselves some grace and space to feel all of the emotions that come with the protest, is becoming more important as the days go on.

Reina Ortiz, a first-year Korbel student and protestor, stated that “DU’s encampment has been one of the most revitalizing and inclusive spaces I’ve ever taken part in on campus.”

A large part of keeping the camp safe and positive is through decompression about the war in Gaza and the stress of the on-the-ground activism happening on campus, according to Attaway. This process is often done through forms of creativity. 

“We sit and make friendship bracelets while discussing the mothers who didn’t get to see Mother’s Day this year…we do each other’s nails and paint little watermelons on them while discussing the importance of symbolism,” said Attaway. Watermelons serve as a symbol of Palestine solidarity. 

While community-building and fun are important to emphasize at the DU For Palestine encampment, campers have repeatedly reinforced and re-centered Palestine at the forefront of the mission. 

The alignment of morals and passion for the situation at hand is what keeps the community strong, despite disappointing responses from the university and counter-protestors. 

“This is so important because college campuses are full of young people who often are not given mentoring opportunities…so when they are in this new world and curious about building their own view, it is so important to have a safe space to explore that,” said Attaway. 

Adding onto the importance of aligned values and connectedness, Ortiz said that the camp serves as a reminder that “there are always people out there who believe in a collective liberation and who understand our intrinsic interconnectedness.” 

“I am incredibly proud of our group of students who have been taking care of the camp and each other, and remaining steadfast in our demands,” said Attaway.

The arts, crafts, music and community building continue to strengthen the camp, as they navigate disciplinary action enforced by the administration.