Gaza Bodies Project

Normal 0 MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";}

In February of 2009, two professors and three students attempted to hold a panel discussion on Gaza. More than 200 students, faculty, and community members gathered to learn and share. But as the first panelist began to speak, one outraged Zionist professor stormed the stage, screaming. He was angry that a flier for the discussion included a photo of Jews in a Warsaw ghetto placed alongside a photo of occupied Gazans. Despite the panel’s pleas for him to wait until the question and answer session, this professor refused. He screamed for nearly fifteen minutes until the panel of students and professors were forced to leave the stage. Eventually there were calls from the crowd asking him to leave, and ultimately he was escorted from the event. The panel returned and continued as if no interruption had occurred.

A series of seven articles, letters and editorials referencing the Gaza panel were published by the campus newspaper, the University Chronicle. The first issue of The Chronicle printed after the Gaza panel discussion occurred, featured editorials and articles critical of the panel and calling for a public debate over the issue.[[1]]

But unbeknownst to the campus community, in total secrecy, six students began to create what came to be known as The Gaza Bodies Project. Two months later in April, after much collaboration and determination, these six individuals successfully brought Palestine’s plight to the heart of their campus. The organizing students created an outdoor gallery of art and information in which students and faculty could peacefully gather, learn and share.

For six hours on April 23^rd, the center of St. Cloud State University came alive with the reality of life in Palestine, particularly Gaza. In recognition of the Gaza War and the approximate ratio of dead Palestinians to Israelis (100:1) [[2]], the organizing team attempted to bring the numbers to life. The centerpiece of the gallery featured a life-sized exhibit of 101 bodies (sewn and stuffed to create human forms), including 24 small bodies representing the percentage of the dead which were children. The six students and supporters carefully carried bodies one at a time in a funeral procession, gently placing one atop the other until the exhibit was complete. Two flags, one Palestinian, one Israeli, flew above the dead they represented. The organizing team then silently formed a line and honored the victims of the Gaza War with a moment of silence.

Hundreds of people wandered through the outdoor gallery, viewing the exhibit and sharing their often emotional reactions. One Palestinian student shared, “Never in my life did I believe I would see the Palestinian flag flying on this campus. You cannot imagine what this display means to me.” The outdoor gallery included pieces of Palestinian art created to voice outrage at the occupation. One large art piece covered in angry hate speech represented graffiti painted on Gazan homes by Israeli soldiers. The original graffiti[[3]] was recorded by Amnesty International immediately following the Gaza War and then recreated by the organizing team of the exhibit on campus. The gallery also featured the complete list of names, released by the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, of those killed in the war. The list of more than 1300 names lay beneath three large framed collections of testimonials[[4]] of civilians in Gaza who spoke to Human Rights Watch of the atrocities they experienced.

Fully aware of the possibility for angry detractors, the six students prepared for the worst. Their preparations thankfully were not needed as the event suffered no angry interruption. Hundreds of students and faculty lined the tables of information and as supplies were depleted, organizers scrambled to reprint pamphlets and lists of resources. Some snapped photographs with cell phones and some called friends encouraging them to come. Many more asked questions; others silently wiped tears from their eyes. Students offered their contact information and asked how they could learn more and become a part of the work for Palestine. 

Certainly every person came to the exhibit for different reasons and experienced the gallery in ways unique to them. The University Chronicle however, was notably absent. No article or photograph referencing the event has appeared in the publication since the event occurred.

The intent of the organizing team is to allow the exhibit to travel through the country raising awareness and inspiring people to ask questions. Information about the outdoor gallery and how it may be requested/used is available by contacting Amber Michel at miam0502@stcloudstate.edu or darkandfair@gmail.com.

Author’s bio:

Amber Michel is an American studying at St. Cloud State University, working towards a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a Minor in Human Relations. After studying oppressed peoples throughout her college career, Amber became especially interested in the Israeli occupation of Palestine. She is a Regional Organizer for a state-wide campaign working for divestment, boycott and sanctions to end the illegal occupation of Palestine. Amber submitted an application to tour with the Birthright Unplugged program which seeks to counter Israel’s birthright tours while educating activists and supporters. Pending acceptance, Amber will be traveling to Palestine in August.