Ball State University joined students at college campuses across the country Wednesday evening as a group of students organized to protest the conflict in Gaza.  IPR’s Thomas Ouellette reports.

Students waited until the late afternoon to gather, bringing protest signs, as well as blankets, pillows, food, and water to sustain what they are calling an encampment.

They gave speeches, joined in chants, and presented informative slideshows.  Then two tents were set up across in a recently-built space that’s officially known as the “peace plaza.”

Student Joseph Souza led most of the protesters in chant and says he’s supportive of even a small “encampment.”

“I support civil disobedience,” he said. “I support students participating in civil disobedience. If they want to do an encampment, then the only way for it to be an encampment is for them to make it that way. And with our two tents here, I hope these students are committed.”

Students intend to stay all night to protest deaths in Gaza. (Thomas Ouellette / IPR News)

A small number of officials from Ball State’s administration and Ball State Police Department officers stood around the protesters during the demonstration.

Ball State President Geoffrey Mearns declined to release a statement on the protest.

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Ball State police are allowing the tents to stay overnight and there have been no arrests made.

Thomas Ouellette is our reporter and producer.  Contact him at thomas.ouellette@bsu.edu.