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The Independent Student Newspaper at Boston University

The Daily Free Press

The Independent Student Newspaper at Boston University.

The Daily Free Press

The Daily Free Press

Student encampments on Marsh Plaza. Enshrined in student protest, Boston University saw some of the largest anti-war protests in the 1960s and ‘70s, followed by anti-apartheid protests in the 1980s and similar campus activism remains prevalent at BU. MATTHEW EADIE/DFP PHOTOGRAPHER

‘Decades of activism’: BU community leaders reflect on history of campus protests, coverage

Mary Goetz April 4, 2025
Boston University has a history of protests and student-led activism. Community leaders, professors and former students reflect on their experiences.
Members of Boston University Students for Justice in Palestine at Marsh Plaza Wednesday. The rally, attended by approximately thirty people, began at Marsh Plaza and moved to the John & Kathryn Silber Administrative Center, where several BU police officers attempted to block participants from entering. JOSIE KALBFLEISCH/DFP PHOTOGRAPHER

SJP holds rally in front of administrative offices

Truman Dickerson March 5, 2025
"Emergency rally" held by Students for Justice in Palestine outside Boston University administrative offices Wednesday.
A flyer promoting a “yes” vote on the Divestment Referendum posted by Boston University Students for Justice in Palestine in the common room in Warren Towers. A total of 1,726 students voted in the referendum that closed Wednesday, and on each question, over 90% of respondents voted in support. SIENA GLEASON/DFP PHOTOGRAPHER

SJP proposed referendum results show student support for University endowment divestment

Truman Dickerson February 28, 2025
Referendum calling for Boston University divestment from the Israel-Hamas war receives overwhelming student support in recent vote.
Boston University Florence and Chafetz Hillel House. The results of the divestment referendum survey were nullified Monday due to “security and technological issues,” according to an announcement by BU’s student government. RACHEL FEINSTEIN/DFP PHOTOGRAPHER

BU SJP referendum results nullified, future divestment efforts uncertain

Truman Dickerson February 14, 2025
The results of a campus-wide divestment referendum survey were nullified Monday due to “security and technological issues,” according to an announcement from Boston University Student Government.
The marquee of Coolidge Corner Theater. The theater is showing a documentary titled “No Other Land” about the villages of Masafer Yatta in the West Bank. LAUREN ALBANO/DFP PHOTOGRAPHER

Oscar-nominated documentary ‘No Other Land’ screens at Coolidge Corner Theatre amid lack of U.S. distribution

Emma Clement February 13, 2025
The documentary “No Other Land” remains without a U.S. distributor or streaming platform — making its screening at Coolidge Corner Theatre a rare opportunity for American audiences.
Members of Boston University Students for Justice in Palestine speak at the BU Student Government meeting on Monday. StuGov members passed a bill for the university to disclose investments in companies involved in Middle Eastern conflicts. PHOTO BY HANNAH BAPTISTE

StuGov passes referendum bill calling University to disclose investments, BU Students for Israel criticizes in open letter

Hannah Baptiste February 4, 2025
The Boston University Student Government passed a referendum bill Monday allowing students to vote on three questions regarding University disclosure, divestment and reinvestment of funds to companies involved in Middle Eastern conflicts.
Pro-Palestine protesters marching in Boston Common on Oct. 24, 2024. The first phase of a ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel began on Jan. 19 and both parties are expected to continue discussions on Feb. 4. SYDNEY ROTH/DFP PHOTOGRAPHER

Advocacy groups in Boston wary of lasting peace in Gaza following ceasefire deal

Truman Dickerson January 22, 2025
As a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel began in Gaza on Jan. 19, halting 470 days of warfare, New England leaders and organizations are responding with mixed thoughts.
A person places a name on Boston University Hillel’s memorial at Marsh Plaza. BU Hillel and Boston University Students for Israel co-sponsored the memorial for people who died during the attack on Israel. KATE KOTLYAR/DFP PHOTOGRAPHER

BU Students for Israel, BU Hillel hold memorial on anniversary of Oct. 7

Vivian Ainomugisha October 8, 2024
Boston University Students for Israel and BU Hillel held a memorial at Marsh Plaza on the first anniversary of Oct. 7, 2023, to honor those lost in Hamas’ attack on Israel.
Lila Baltaxe | Senior Graphic Artist

Biden stands with Israel, increasing the risk of a Cold War II | Not to Get Political But

Lauren Albano October 30, 2023
Biden's strong pro-Israel stance on the most recent conflict, which stands in stark contrast with most of the rest of the world including the U.S.'s biggest rivals Russia and China, is reminiscent of the Cold War era proxy-wars and could even threaten the beginning of World War III.
Student Body President Dhruv Kapadia speaks at a StuGov meeting in April. StuGov discussed the conflict in the Middle East and elected a new Senate Rules Chair during a meeting on Monday night. HUI-EN LIN/DFP PHOTOGRAPHER

Boston University Student Government acknowledges war in Middle East, elects new chair

Sebastian Castro October 18, 2023
At a Monday night Boston University Student Government, members discussed the war in the Middle East and elected a new senate rules co-chair.
Lila Baltaxe | Senior Graphic Artist

The MENA Problem | Loud People, Quiet Spaces

Banu Mammadli September 25, 2023
BU’s IR MEA track reflects the Eurocentrism of the term “Middle East”.
Haley Alvarez-Lauto | Senior Graphic Artist

The hidden people: Middle Eastern and North African erasure in U.S. demography | Loud People, Quiet Spaces

Banu Mammadli April 27, 2023
In ignoring the racial identity of MENA people, we are effectively ignoring their stories, voices, culture, value, humanity, vast contributions to American society and all that they have endured at the expense of white supremacy.
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