Creating the Apartheid Wall
Large Scale Collaborative Design
It is tradition SJP (Students for Justice in Palestine) chapters create a mock apartheid wall to bring attention to the Israeli Apartheid during "Apartheid Week." This is an entire week of events related to Palestinian liberation and education.
With great thanks to our anonymous donor for the plank wood supplies, our wall is 4 panels connected with retachable hinges, 8 feet tall and 3 feet wide. The drawing and painting is credited to a collaboration of the Arab/Muslim/Palestinian community. The painting of the wall was part of our "Apartheid Week day 2: Arts of Palestine" event where we invited attendees to paint the wall with us.
About the Wall
We chose the message "Joy Sustains Revolution" as our main message that our joy and our happiness is the greatest form of resistance. Without our love for each other, our land and happiness, we cannot be free.
(Left to right)
Panel 1:
"They used to say Palestinians fight like heroes, now they say heroes fight like Palestinians"
Below this quote is the name of Palestinian martyrs, including many of our own family members.
Panel 2-3:
A Palestinian woman wearing a kuffiyeh headscarf holding a key. The kuffiyeh was traditionally worn by Palestinian farmers, but has now become a symbol of Palestinian freedom and resistance. The key symbolizes the key to return. When Palestinians were kicked out and displaced from their homes, many intended on returning and still possess the keys to their houses. About the woman is the Arabic scripture that translates to "right of return"
Panel 4:
This panel includes hashtags that relate to our specific chapter.
#UICdivest: in 2016 the UIC chapter passed divestment from israeli products and services
#VisitPalestine: Our chapters efforts to create a study abroad in Palestine with Birzeit University #CutTheTiesSPH: Our campaign against the UIC School of Public Health to end their JUF partnership until israel complies with international law. We have nothing to learn from institutions that practice medical apartheid.
Below this reads "We won't leave" written by the handalla, another symbol of the Palestinian people by political cartoonist Naji Al-Ali.
Below is a dove (symbol of peace) lifting the bottom of the wall with Al Aqsa, the Holy Sepulcher Church and the Western Wall.