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Photo Story: UMaine JVP organizes ‘Rally for Palestine’ in call for divestment

By Elora Griswold on March 10, 2025
On Friday, March 7, around 80 students at the University of Maine gathered for a protest called “Rally for Palestine” to march in solidarity with Palestinians, and to urge the university to divest from corporations linked to Israeli military funding and defense. Led by UMaine Jewish Voices for Peace (JVP), the protest called for the Board of Trustees (BoT) to reallocate university funds away from companies complicit in violence against Palestinians and to adopt the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism -- which provides clear guidelines on what constitutes "antisemitism" and "supporting terrorists." The march comes ahead of a BoT public commentary session at the Wells Conference Center on March 10, where many UMaine JVP members plan to share testimony about the humanitarian impacts of the ongoing conflict.
On Friday, March 7, around 80 students at the University of Maine gathered for a protest called “Rally for Palestine” to march in solidarity with Palestinians, and to urge the university to divest from corporations linked to Israeli military funding and defense. Led by UMaine Jewish Voices for Peace (JVP), the protest called for the Board of Trustees (BoT) to reallocate university funds away from companies complicit in violence against Palestinians and to adopt the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism -- which provides clear guidelines on what constitutes "antisemitism" and "supporting terrorists." The march comes ahead of a BoT public commentary session at the Wells Conference Center on March 10, where many UMaine JVP members plan to share testimony about the humanitarian impacts of the ongoing conflict.
The “Rally for Palestine” began around 1 p.m., as students grouped together near the steps of Fogler Library. With an estimated 80 to 90 students in attendance, the group nearly filled the entry way to the library, but left room for non-participating students entering and exiting the space. Organizers from UMaine JVP and related organizations wore neon-green reflective vests to stand out against the sea of black, green and red colors in support of Palestine. Description: Over 80 students stood gathered in front of the Folger Library as part of UMaine JVP’s “Rally for Palestine.”
The “Rally for Palestine” began around 1 p.m., as students grouped together near the steps of Fogler Library. With an estimated 80 to 90 students in attendance, the group nearly filled the entry way to the library, but left room for non-participating students entering and exiting the space. Organizers from UMaine JVP and related organizations wore neon-green reflective vests to stand out against the sea of black, green and red colors in support of Palestine. Description: Over 80 students stood gathered in front of the Folger Library as part of UMaine JVP’s “Rally for Palestine.”
UMaine JVP member Tom Pinette rallied the crowd in the first of several speeches before the march down the Memorial Union mall began. Some of the many signs on display can be seen here, including one that read “Support students, not genocide” and another that read “Grow a spine.” The crowd was lively and chants echoed through the mall despite frigid winds and temperatures. Description: A large group of students stand on the steps of Fogler Library listening to a speech while holding protest signs that urge the university to divest from corporations linked to Israeli military funding and defense.
UMaine JVP member Tom Pinette rallied the crowd in the first of several speeches before the march down the Memorial Union mall began. Some of the many signs on display can be seen here, including one that read “Support students, not genocide” and another that read “Grow a spine.” The crowd was lively and chants echoed through the mall despite frigid winds and temperatures. Description: A large group of students stand on the steps of Fogler Library listening to a speech while holding protest signs that urge the university to divest from corporations linked to Israeli military funding and defense.
More signs and two of several Palestinian flags can be seen in this shot of protestors listening to Tom Pinette’s speech. Some of the visible protest signs read “UMS must divest”, and “UMS do not comply.” Others read “End the Occupation” and “Killing Kids [does not equal] self defense.” Description: A closer shot of students listening to UMaine JVP member Tom Pinette’s speech on the steps of Fogler Library while holding protest signs as part of UMaine JVP’s “Rally for Palestine.”
More signs and two of several Palestinian flags can be seen in this shot of protestors listening to Tom Pinette’s speech. Some of the visible protest signs read “UMS must divest”, and “UMS do not comply.” Others read “End the Occupation” and “Killing Kids [does not equal] self defense.” Description: A closer shot of students listening to UMaine JVP member Tom Pinette’s speech on the steps of Fogler Library while holding protest signs as part of UMaine JVP’s “Rally for Palestine.”
In another speech to the crowd, UMaine JVP member Lucas Bent reflected on the BoT’s response to students' concern about the Israel-Palestine conflict so far. He said, “Unfortunately, on Dec. 17, 2024, the executive committee of the UMaine Board of Trustees summarily rejected all of our demands at once, without a formal vote. Truthfully, our complicity is bombing people…this is fascism and right now our Board of Trustees is sitting in compliance with its every mandate. Do we take Fascism sitting down?” In a roaring response, the crowd responded they would not. Description: UMaine JVP member Lucas Bent speaks to a crowd of over 80 students gathered on the steps of Fogler Library.
In another speech to the crowd, UMaine JVP member Lucas Bent reflected on the BoT’s response to students' concern about the Israel-Palestine conflict so far. He said, “Unfortunately, on Dec. 17, 2024, the executive committee of the UMaine Board of Trustees summarily rejected all of our demands at once, without a formal vote. Truthfully, our complicity is bombing people…this is fascism and right now our Board of Trustees is sitting in compliance with its every mandate. Do we take Fascism sitting down?” In a roaring response, the crowd responded they would not. Description: UMaine JVP member Lucas Bent speaks to a crowd of over 80 students gathered on the steps of Fogler Library.
UMaine JVP member Gracie Gebel stands with her back turned to the camera behind a crowd of students gathered on the steps of the Fogler Library listening to speeches ahead of the march. Her bright green vest reads “Free Palestine!” Description: Student Gracie Gebel wearing a green vest stands behind the crowd listening to speeches on the steps of the Fogler Library as part of UMaine JVP’s “Rally for Palestine.”
UMaine JVP member Gracie Gebel stands with her back turned to the camera behind a crowd of students gathered on the steps of the Fogler Library listening to speeches ahead of the march. Her bright green vest reads “Free Palestine!” Description: Student Gracie Gebel wearing a green vest stands behind the crowd listening to speeches on the steps of the Fogler Library as part of UMaine JVP’s “Rally for Palestine.”
Squeezed in a crowd of protestors gathered on the steps of Fogler Library, student Mak Thompson holds their sign high. It reads, “Free Palestine” and features a small hand-painted Palestinian flag. Description: Student Mak Thompson holds their protest sign above the crowd of students gathered on the steps of the Fogler Library.
Squeezed in a crowd of protestors gathered on the steps of Fogler Library, student Mak Thompson holds their sign high. It reads, “Free Palestine” and features a small hand-painted Palestinian flag. Description: Student Mak Thompson holds their protest sign above the crowd of students gathered on the steps of the Fogler Library.
Two Palestinian flags can be seen in the background of a student's sign in the foreground which reads, “Fight Facism for Freedom.” In a unified voice heard across the mall, the crowd chanted that “the people united will never be defeated.” Description: A close-up of a student protest sign among a crowd of 80 or so students gathered on the steps of the Folger Library before marching down the Memorial Union as part of UMaine JVP’s “Rally for Palestine.”
Two Palestinian flags can be seen in the background of a student's sign in the foreground which reads, “Fight Facism for Freedom.” In a unified voice heard across the mall, the crowd chanted that “the people united will never be defeated.” Description: A close-up of a student protest sign among a crowd of 80 or so students gathered on the steps of the Folger Library before marching down the Memorial Union as part of UMaine JVP’s “Rally for Palestine.”
UMaine JVP member Lucas Bent can be seen in the background continuing his speech to the group of gathered students. He outlined two clear demands: for the BoT to divest the 1.6 million dollars invested in “companies that have been proven to be complicit in Israel’s apartheid and genocide campaigns in Gaza,” and for the BoT to “adopt the Jerusalem declaration on antisemitism.” A protest sign in the foreground reads, “No Aid. Not a Dime to ‘Israel’. Free Palestine.” Description: A large protest sign fills the foreground as students stand on the steps of the library listening to various speeches as part of UMaine JVP’s “Rally for Palestine” march.
UMaine JVP member Lucas Bent can be seen in the background continuing his speech to the group of gathered students. He outlined two clear demands: for the BoT to divest the 1.6 million dollars invested in “companies that have been proven to be complicit in Israel’s apartheid and genocide campaigns in Gaza,” and for the BoT to “adopt the Jerusalem declaration on antisemitism.” A protest sign in the foreground reads, “No Aid. Not a Dime to ‘Israel’. Free Palestine.” Description: A large protest sign fills the foreground as students stand on the steps of the library listening to various speeches as part of UMaine JVP’s “Rally for Palestine” march.
For the first time, a UMaine JVP-led protest attracted counter protesters. Standing on the sidewalk in front of the steps was less than a dozen people waving Israeli flags. The group stood silently and did not appear to engage other than by waving their flags. Following the march and by the end of the protest, only two counter protestors remained. Description: Four counter protestors holding Israeli flags stood yards away from the large gathering of students on the steps of the Fogler Library.
For the first time, a UMaine JVP-led protest attracted counter protesters. Standing on the sidewalk in front of the steps was less than a dozen people waving Israeli flags. The group stood silently and did not appear to engage other than by waving their flags. Following the march and by the end of the protest, only two counter protestors remained. Description: Four counter protestors holding Israeli flags stood yards away from the large gathering of students on the steps of the Fogler Library.
Toward the end of the march down the mall, UMaine JVP member and student Willow Cunningham led the crowd in a chant: “Free, Free Palestine. UMS must divest. We will not stop, we will not rest.” Their call was met with resounding energy as the demonstration came to a close about an hour after it had begun. Several new signs can be seen in this shot, including one that reads, “Stop cuttin’ domestic funds to pay for your foreign oil wars.” Description: Marching students reached the end of their walk down the Memorial Union mall while chanting in unison as part of UMaine JVP’s “Rally for Palestine.”
Toward the end of the march down the mall, UMaine JVP member and student Willow Cunningham led the crowd in a chant: “Free, Free Palestine. UMS must divest. We will not stop, we will not rest.” Their call was met with resounding energy as the demonstration came to a close about an hour after it had begun. Several new signs can be seen in this shot, including one that reads, “Stop cuttin’ domestic funds to pay for your foreign oil wars.” Description: Marching students reached the end of their walk down the Memorial Union mall while chanting in unison as part of UMaine JVP’s “Rally for Palestine.”

Published in Multimedia

Elora Griswold
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