Participants and passersby can find information about the "Popular University for Gaza liberated zone" at the welcome tent. Flyers include fundraisers, community guidelines and the demands of the organizing RSOs.
Sean FanWithin the Popular University for Gaza (Popular University) liberated zone on the University of Washington’s campus, there are food, medical, artistic, and educational facilities
The Popular University was established on the Quad by the UW United Front for Palestinian Liberation (UF) on Wednesday afternoon alongside the Progressive Student Union’s encampment, which was erected Monday. The two encampments have since merged, sharing resources.
The central information point for zone occupants and passersby is located at the Popular University’s main entry point. Community guidelines, the organizers’ demands, and programming for the day are all available at the canopy.
Popular University for Gaza Photo Essay Gallery
A sign at the entry tent reads 'Help a family in Gaza," with a link that leads to a short story and place to donate funds.
- Emma Ottosen
One donor to the zone brought flowers, where they sit at the entry tent, available for participants and supporters to take.
- Emma Ottosen
Surge protectors are stored in a cardboard box on the grass.
- Owain A. Waszak
Solar panels are used as a primary form of electricity, which is needed for charging devices such as phones, laptops and for providing power to stovetops and speaker systems.
- Emma Ottosen
Oranges cover the bottom of a large bin sitting out on the Quad. Other containers containing apples, bananas and bottles of water also sit nearby, available for community members to take as needed.
- Emma Ottosen
The supply drop-off tent is located on the Quad’s northwest corner. It serves as a centralized location for community members to leave food and material donations for participants. According to a UF media liaison, any remaining resources will be donated to organizations that support homeless and refugee community members in the U-District.
Flyers, including those bearing the United Front demands and jail support information are readily available for those partaking in the "Popular University for Gaza liberated zone." Similar flyers have been handed out to passersby and hung up on tents.
- Emma Ottosen
Popular University for Gaza Photo Essay Supplies Gallery
One tent is marked as a supply drop-off, a place where students and other community supporters can bring food and other resources to participants.
- Emma Ottosen
The supply drop-off tent holds garbage bags, sleeping bags and water bottles. One sorted, the supplies end up in different tents.
- Emma Ottosen
Bags full of food, masks and other supplies sit in the drop-off zone. Resources have been dropped off over many days, brought by students and other supporters.
- Emma Ottosen
Flyers, including those bearing the United Front demands and jail support information are readily available for those partaking in the "Popular University for Gaza liberated zone." Similar flyers have been handed out to passersby and hung up on tents.
- Emma Ottosen
Donations are sorted and placed in specific tents. Mutual aid, food and blankets, and other supply tents are located on the north side of the Quad. Tents on the southern side house protective wear, camping supplies, and clothing.
Supplies at the "mutual aid" tent pile up, including bowls, umbrellas, hand warmers and other miscellaneous items.
Emma OttosenThe medic tent is positioned on the Quad pathway across from the community art zone. Denoted by a large red cross made from tape, it contains supplies to meet a variety of health needs ranging from personal protective equipment to blood pressure cuffs. It also houses a mental health check-in space and an eye-wash station.
Warm clothes are part of the "mutual aid tent," including socks, sweaters and jackets, all of which were donated. Once the "Popular University for Gaza liberated zone" concludes, any extra supplies are to be donated to organizations that serve unhoused communities in the U District area.
- Emma Ottosen
Popular University for Gaza Photo Essay Supplies Gallery
Inside the "food and blanket" tent, supplies pile up along the walls. Most of the food is non-perishable, including ramen and canned goods.
- Emma Ottosen
Warm clothes are part of the "mutual aid tent," including socks, sweaters and jackets, all of which were donated. Once the "Popular University for Gaza liberated zone" concludes, any extra supplies are to be donated to organizations that serve unhoused communities in the U District area.
- Emma Ottosen
Foam beds inside a mutual aid tent.
- Owain A. Waszak
The mutual aid station stocks water, snacks and other "grab-and-go" items.
- Owain A. Waszak
Another tent on the south quadrant on the Quad holds water and supplies. This tent was first pitched on Monday, as part of the original "Pro-Palestinian Encampment" before it expanded and merged on Wednesday, May 1.
- Emma Ottosen
Another tent holds chairs, yoga mats, pillows and blankets for participants to take and use.
- Emma Ottosen
Safety supplies, including helmets and joint guards sit in a tent in containers.
- Emma Ottosen
Example of medical supplies inside the aid and food tent.
- Emma Ottosen
Rules and guidelines can also be found inside the food and medical tent.
- Emma Ottosen
Dozens of paper plates, bowls , and paper towels are stacked on top of each other inside a storage tent.
- Owain A. Waszak
Participants are able to make and exchange art with others in the community art zone. Supplies are free and include cardboard, paint, and paintbrushes. Signs made in the community art zone are placed on or outside of the tents inside the Popular University.
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Popular University for Gaza Photo Essay Community Art Zone Gallery
The "community art space" is where participants and supporters can make signs using communal art supplies. Many tents in the zone are decorated with these signs.
- Emma Ottosen
Some examples of signs made in the "community art space" lay out to dry on tarps.
- Emma Ottosen
Part of the "community art space" is the "make a sign, take a sign" bucket, where participants can exchange art with each other.
- Emma Ottosen
Communal art supplies lie on a table for passersby to use for sign-making.
- Owain A. Waszak
Plastic roses sit outside one of the tents in the "Popular University for Gaza liberated zone."
- Emma Ottosen
One tent on the south side of the zone is dedicated to "gay nail painting".
Emma OttosenThere are also several smaller canopies around with activities for people to participate in including a “gay nail painting” tent where students and supporters can go to converse and get a manicure.
Inside of "The People's Library" with numerous books on the floor of the tent. Participants are encouraged to borrow or take books of their choosing.
Owain A. WaszakFinally, the People’s Library takes up one of the largest tents in the entire liberated zone. Surrounded by many signs, including one stating “Palestine teaches us hope,” participants can find over 100 books and zines inside, available to check out or take.
Inside "The People's Library," over 100 different books and zines for participants and community members are available to read and borrow. These titles contain information from across history and the world, ranging from the University of Washington to jazz guitar.
Emma Ottosen
Popular University for Gaza Photo Essay Library Gallery
The "liberation library" has many books and zines that participants can borrow or take. The content focuses mostly on education on events both current and historic.
- Emma Ottosen
A sign outside of "The People's Library" reads "Palestine Teaches Us About Hope."
- Emma Ottosen
Participants are encouraged to borrow or take books of their choosing and to donate books.
- Owain A. Waszak
Finally, a community garden consisting of herbs and flowers has been planted at the north edge of the liberated zone. The garden is one of the latest additions to the zone and is planted directly into the Quad lawn.
Popular University for Gaza Photo Essay Community Garden Gallery
The community garden, created on May 4, features a variety of herbs and flowers.
- Sean Fan
Plants in the garden grow in the shape of the Palestinian flag.
- Sean Fan
Reach Photo Editor Emma Ottosen at photo@dailyuw.com. X: @emottosen
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(1) comment
This is a great article, I've been interested in seeing what it's like beyond the articles that are "just news"! This is far more interesting and I hope to see more like this!
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