(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — After five days of demonstrations at Northwestern University over the war in Gaza, university officials said they have struck a deal to remove a tent encampment from the on-campus Deering Meadow.
The agreement between Northwestern administrators and pro-Palestinian activists called for all but one of the tents to be removed from Deering Meadow immediately. Officials allowed one tent to be used for aid purposes.
According to the agreement, which was obtained by WBBM Newsradio, peaceful demonstrations will be permitted on Deering Meadow through June 1, when the spring quarter classes end. Only Northwestern students, faculty and staff will be allowed in the demonstration area unless a person has been authorized by the university.
Those protesting at Deering Meadow may be asked to show their university identification, officials said.
Northwestern also said it will take a number of steps to preserve protest and debate on campus — and to protect Palestinian students. Officials said the university would publicly condemn the doxing of any community member and would encourage employers not to rescind job offers for reasons relating to a student exercising their First Amendment rights.
Beyond the Deering Meadow demonstration, the university pledged to provide some level of transparency with regard to how Northwestern invests its money.
The university promised to support visiting Palestinian faculty and students and to “engage students in a process dedicated to ensuring additional support for Jewish and Muslim students.”
In a statement posted to X, the Consulate General of Israel to the Midwest criticized Northwestern.
"Today, Northwestern University declared itself a safe space for Antisemitism, the statement said. "We are appalled by Northwestern's decision to turn its back on Jewish and Israeli students who have been targets of hateful harassment and intimidation. This decision rewards the pro-terror, anti-Israel, and anti-America aggressors on campus.
This appeasement agreement is a dark day in Northwestern history."
The tents went up on Thursday, which increased some tensions on campus as well as concern among Jewish student groups.
Monday’s announcement came on the first day of a similar tent encampment on the University of Chicago campus in Hyde Park.
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