Pro-Palestinian activists disrupt IDF veteran event at Californian university, police intervene

Nine masked protesters entered a classroom at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, before two wounded IDF veterans could speak about their combat experiences and recoveries.

The Sunday event, titled “Rising to the Challenge,” was hosted by Mustangs United for Israel and Cal Poly Chabad, in collaboration with CAMERA on Campus. It featured Eliyahu Green and Ariel Saat, who fought in Gaza following the October 7 attacks and were visiting US campuses through the Belev Echad organization. About 40 students and community members attended, according to Mustang News.

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You are not allowed to interrupt the message and the event. However, you do have a right to be present and to be in the area

The demonstrators carried an Israeli flag splattered with red paint and marked “IDF kills.” Their signs included “UN says genocide,” “The IDF kills kids” and “End the occupation.” They stood at the front of the room while a university police officer ordered them to leave, saying their actions disrupted the event and violated the university’s Time, Place and Manner policy.

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Hey, hey, ho, ho, the IDF has got to go

The officer told the activists, “You are not allowed to interrupt the message and the event. However, you do have a right to be present and to be in the area”. When protesters asked which rule they had violated, officers cited section 626.6 of campus policy and directed them outside to a designated protest area.

As police escorted the group from the classroom, the protesters chanted, “Hey, hey, ho, ho, the IDF has got to go,” and “Stop killing mothers, stop killing fathers, stop killing kids, stop killing doctors.” The disruption forced event attendees to use an alternate exit.

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Stop killing mothers, stop killing fathers, stop killing kids, stop killing doctors.