It’s about 7 p.m. now as the crowd gathers around one corner of KSL Oval, the setting sun providing a nice backdrop for the rally that’s about to ensue. A man dressed in khaki shorts with a keffiyeh draped over his shoulders shakes the megaphone in his hand, preparing to take center stage. He raises the megaphone to the heavens, takes one long, deep breath, and shouts “Gaza Gaza you will rise.” A rumble of noise erupts from the crowd as they repeat his words back to him, raising their Palestinian flags in harmony. “Palestine will never die,” he shouts again. And the symphony of protesters sing again, encouraging the man to keep going. This scene decorated the lawn in front of the Kelvin Smith Library for 11 days straight. And in these 11 days, the students peacefully protesting the genocide in Gaza faced mass scrutiny from the university and their peers. Now, it’s been over six months since the encampment ended. Yet, the legacy of those who gathered will endure far beyond the chants and flags, reshaping the way the institution approaches dissent, protest and political engagement on campus.

Eleven days of demonstrations. Despite the claims of “disrupting university operations” and participating in “intimidating speech,” as cited from President Eric Kaler’s emails at the time, the encampment provided a safe space for students and community members alike to leisurely gather. Yoga, kite flying, volleyball and numerous potlucks of yummy food brought about reasons for students to enjoy the sunny May weather gracing Case Western Reserve University’s campus during finals week. Drummers provided background music as students drew Palestine-inspired artwork on poster boards and sipped their Capri-Suns. Bystanders passing by stopped for a snack, talking to their favorite professors gathered around the outer circumference of the area. The evening rally was always the most exciting time of the day. With chants oftentimes led by members of Cleveland’s chapter of Jewish Voices for Peace, not an ounce of anti-semitism was to be found on the premises, despite Kaler’s numerous claims.

Twenty protesters zip tied. Though the encampment was inherently peaceful, escalation in part by the institution and CWRU police led to an altercation on the first day of the encampment. With police officers demanding students leave the circle, the protesters gathered around the tent, locking arms to form a line of defense. Violence ensued from there as officers began grabbing students and zip tying them to limit their mobility. And that was just the beginning.

Three students painted. With the intention of finding creative ways to promote freedom for Palestinians, the Spirit Wall quickly became a key form of expression. Protesters painted the wall with barbed wire, calligraphy and red handprints to represent the struggle for survival happening in Gaza. Unimpressed with the artwork, the university called in a contractor to cover up the designs. And in that process, they painted over three students. In the only email in which Kaler showed any sign of remorse for the students, he apologized, claiming to be “disturbed by what occurred.” He claims that this “is not who we are as an institution” and says they will be held accountable. But yet, the only people he decided to hold accountable were the students.

Seventy students disciplined. Weeks after the encampment ended, an email from the Associate Dean of Students and Director George O’Connell started arriving in student inboxes. The email stated that the office is “opening an investigation into your involvement at the KSL Oval,” imposing sanctions against the students. One of the most common messages was an interim persona non grata from all Commencement activities, which meant that students were not permitted to attend any graduation-related events. A senior who wasn’t sure what this meant proceeded to attend an event until they received an email stating that they were “still under investigation and had to leave.” More permanent sanctions such as warnings, disciplinary probations, persona non grata from campus and suspension for multiple semesters blemished students’ disciplinary records.

Two new precedents. Since the encampment closed its doors, the university has updated its policy on demonstrations and the Spirit Wall. From now on, a large demonstration “requires the written approval of the [Freedom of Expression Policy] Committee before it may occur.” In addition, demonstrations are now limited to five hours between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. and are only permitted to happen at KSL Oval, Case Quad adjacent to Adelbert Hall, Van Horn Field or Freiberger Field. Tents, projection of lights and microphone systems are also not permitted. As extreme as they are, these limitations are a step back from even harsher requirements initially posed by Kaler. Nevertheless, these new amendments are reactionary and disheartening. Now, any form of resistance against the university has to be approved by the university, defeating the whole point of a resistance. These “precautionary” measures signal a step back from the values of free expression that CWRU claims to uphold.

In reflecting on the 11 days that unfolded at KSL Oval, it’s clear that the encampment was not just a protest but a powerful demonstration of student resilience, creativity and solidarity. What began as a peaceful outcry against the atrocities in Gaza quickly became a battleground for the larger issue of freedom of expression on campus. Despite the university’s efforts to stifle dissent, the voices of those who gathered will continue to resonate, reminding us that true freedom of expression is never something that should be granted or controlled by the institution. The story of those 11 days serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of standing up for what is right and the enduring value of student activism in shaping the future of our communities.