Students for Justice in Palestine is using art to promote peace.
During Palestine Solidarity month, SJP is hosting three more events under the theme “Art Imitates Life,” wrote Amanda Nelson, the SJP secretary, in an email. The group decided to frame the month around art because it’s a medium to express ideas and stories.
“The things that are experienced by Palestinians can be traumatic, like being harassed at a checkpoint or even killed by (Israeli Defense Forces),” the UF political science and African studies senior said. “We want people to know what is really going on.”
Events will continue through the first week of April, the 22-year-old said. The final event will be a performance of the play “There is a Field.”
Jen Marlowe, who wrote and produced the play, is performing in 10 states. This will be the play’s first performance in Florida.
The play focuses on the police killing of a 17-year-old Palestinian citizen of Israel in 2000, she said.
“When the reason of the loss is because of state-sponsored violence and because of systemic racism and structural inequality, it is an unacceptable price for society to pay and humanity to pay,” she said.
Nelson said she hopes students learn about Palestine during the month.
“Come to events, ask questions, meet new people,” she said. “Learn about Palestinians, their struggles, their culture, their lives.”
