07-05-2025
Pro-Palestine protestors gather outside of Champaign City Council meeting as new members are sworn in
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The Champaign City Council swore in five new members Tuesday night, but it was some activity outside the city building drawing some eyes.
There were around 35 people at the city council meeting, and many of those took to the mic during public comment.
Less than a week after protests at the Alma Mater, protests against the war in Gaza happened outside the Champaign City Council meeting on Tuesday.
READ MORE: Pro-Palestine student protestors return to Alma Mater at U of I
'It's been heartbreaking to see the disrespect city officials show our Palestinian neighbors,' said Sara Saboowala, who was one of the organizers and a member of the CU Muslin Action Committee.
'We are here to mark the anniversary of one year of community demonstration and petition for the Champaign City Council to take a stand against genocide,' Saboowala said. 'We've been met with one year of silence and we're here to show that the community still stands together in support of Palestinian liberation.'
The protest started about a half hour before the meeting began and continued when the council opened the floor for public comment.
'As the people that you all represent, or at least claim to represent, we demand divestment now,' said one speaker.
And others who talked came with a different viewpoint.
'You can protest in America obviously all you want, but unless you're ready to recognize the right of Israel to exist, there's really no conversation to have,'
WCIA reached out to the City of Champaign for comment. They said:
'The city council has addressed this many times publicly during their meetings over the last year. We do not have anything further to add.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to
