I am pleased to know that suspensions have been lifted off the eight Bowdoin College students who spent four nights encamped at Sha’ban al-Dalou Hall (aka the Smith Union) to protest the school’s financial support for arms manufacturers that aid Israel’s oppression of Palestinians. The students took a courageous and principled stand against genocide. Bowdoin professes to stand for “the common good” — and the students’ actions embody what “common good” should look like.

Regardless what the college may say, I have no doubt that the letters and phone calls the administration received from hundreds of alumni had a role in their decision to lift the suspensions. Community support made a difference too, as folks from across Maine joined rallies, provided meals and kept watch outside every night.

Now, it’s time for Bowdoin College to honor the results of the 2024 student referendum. A solid majority of students want their school to disclose and divest from Israel’s ethnic cleansing, genocide and oppression of Palestinian people. They renamed the Smith Union in honor of 19-year-old university student Sha’ban al-Dalou, who was burned alive last summer when Israel dropped U.S.-made bombs on Al-Aqsa Hospital in Gaza.

The Smith Union should be officially renamed in Sha’ban’s honor and Bowdoin needs to divest from Israel — now.

Jamila Levasseur
Waldo