DeKALB – “NIU you cannot hide, you’re supporting genocide,” was the new chant yelled throughout MLK Commons last Friday as Pro-Palestine protests continued against the war and the university.

Students protested in response to a university comment that condemned a controversial protest slogan that was printed on a sign from the previous student-held Pro-Palestine rally on Jan 25.

The statement, “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” has seen global controversy for its mixed meaning. The Associated Press noted the phrase has become popular in protests around the world and is even being printed on things from “sweatshirts to candles.” Pro-Palestine protesters say the message is a call for peace and a rally towards Palestine reclaiming the land that has been occupied by Israel.

Controversy surrounds the statement where Jewish news outlets have said the phrase hints at anti-semitic views where “from the river to the sea,” does not leave “a single inch for Israel,” according to an open letter signed by 30 Jewish news outlets around the world in an Associated Press article.

The university’s statement was published a day after the protest on Jan. 25. NIU condemned phrases “[calling] for the eradication of Jewish people (i.e., “from the river to the sea…”) or equally violent phrases against the people of Palestine.” While the university acknowledged it did not know the intent behind individuals who used the message, the word “abhorrent,” was used to describe the phrase.

Nicholas McKay, student organizer and junior Japanese major, took over leading the protest after the high turnout from the previous protest motivated him to continue the platform.

McKay criticized the university’s misinterpretation of what he deemed a “call for liberation.”

“It’s again just a factually wrong statement and that is the kind of narrative that Israel and Zionists are pushing, that it is that kind of saying,” McKay said. “It’s a call for liberation, not a call for Jewish genocide, it’s very backwards, and again, I’m very disappointed that the university spread its falsehoods.”

Jackson Wheeler, a senior music major, had similar thoughts to share as they were one of the loudest speakers among the crowd chanting “When will it end? Genocide Joe?” and “Free, free, Palestine.”

“A free Palestine does not mean any sort of – that doesn’t mean any sort of harm against Jewish people, or Israeli people,” Wheeler said. “A free Palestine should be free for everyone to live there in peace and NIU is directly saying that, like, a free Palestine is –  they’re saying that those two truths are incompatible.”

Passionate speeches and solidarity still took place as students and community members waved the Palestinian flag and held up posters in support of the nation.

Halfway through the rally, the flag was draped over the “I” in “NIU” of the “Huskie Pride” sculpture.

McKay said the rally’s success has motivated him to continue organizing the protests every Friday.

“I think this should happen just as long as the genocide is going on,” McKay said. “I believe that as long as this goes on as the genocide goes on – we should keep protesting.”

In the meantime, students are determined to keep their voices heard and will continue to let NIU hear it.