Last Monday, ten students at Occidental College began a hunger strike to raise awareness about their demands for the college to divest from weapons manufacturers linked to Israel amid the ongoing war in Gaza. This protest reflects a growing trend among students on California campuses, who are increasingly vocal about issues concerning Palestine.
The hunger strikers are also calling for enhanced protections for international students. They are particularly concerned about the Trump administration’s moves to revoke visas for students involved in activities that may be seen as opposing national interests, including protests related to the conflict in Gaza.
The students drew inspiration from a similar hunger strike at Chapman University that ended after ten days without any concessions from the administration. With many California colleges tightening rules on overnight protests, students are looking for new ways to express their concerns.
Last year, Occidental’s Students for Justice in Palestine occupied a campus encampment for nine days, demanding divestment from companies supplying arms to the Israeli military. Although the Board of Trustees agreed to consider divestment, they ultimately voted against it. As of August, the value of the college’s indirect investments in these companies was about $940,000, a small fraction of the college’s overall endowment.
In their recent demands to Occidental’s President Tom Stritikus, the hunger strikers reiterated their call for the college to divest from weapons manufacturers and to provide pro bono legal support for international students facing visa issues. They also want the college to erase any protest-related charges from student records. International students make up roughly 7% of the student body at Occidental.
Stritikus acknowledged the students’ concerns, stating that many of the initiatives they seek are already in place. He emphasized that while the college may not agree with all their methods, they share a common goal of supporting the academic community.
On April 9, Stritikus announced that the college had joined an amicus brief expressing concerns about the Trump administration’s efforts to revoke the legal status of many international students. He assured that if any students lost their legal status, the college would assist them in retaining financial aid and housing.
Despite these assurances, the hunger strikers believe the college’s actions are insufficient. As of now, they are on Day 5 of their strike, consuming only water mixed with electrolyte powder. They have been vocal about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, highlighting the severe impact of the ongoing conflict and blockade on the region’s residents.
Students have set up a visible area near the campus dining hall to mark each day of their strike. Some participants have reported physical difficulties, such as headaches and fatigue, but they remain committed to their cause. They express a deep sense of urgency, feeling that their actions are necessary to make their voices heard in the face of global injustices.