The Israel-Hamas war has sparked student protests on both sides across Arizona, the U.S. and throughout the World.

Students from Arizona State University and other associated organizations, including the Students for Justice in Palestine-ASU and the Jewish Voice for Peace from Tucson, had scheduled an event on the ASU Tempe campus for Nov. 17.

The event was called “Why Palestine is an American Issue” and featured Palestinian congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D–MI 12th District).

According to a report by The Hill, Tlaib had been censured by the House of Representatives in November for her outspoken comments about the war.

Before the conference could begin, ASU reportedly announced that they would shut down the event for procedural reasons.

For extra measure, the school locked the doors to Neeb Hall where the conference was supposed to occur.

People began to organize at once, and in under two hours, the canceled conference became a protest against ASU and their practices.

Hundreds of students, community members, and faculty gathered in allegiance to Palestine and in opposition to ASU’s response.  Many criticized the school for its actions against the event and deemed it censorship.

“An institution ought not to have a stance,” said “Kat,” a mother who uses the alias because she has experienced attacks due to her activism.

“Something happens when you become a parent, or if you have siblings, you can’t just watch people die,” Kat said.

It wasn’t long until police arrived—at 3:46 p.m., a patrol car pulled through to surveil the area.

People began to gather on the steps of Neeb Hall around 4:00 p.m. where Rashida Tlaib spoke to the gathering through a laptop computer via Zoom.

“Staying silent did not make our lives better,” Tlaib said during the Zoom call. “We see the violence and we want it to end.”

Rep. Athena Salman also called in to speak to the audience in solidarity, calling to question ASU’s motives for canceling the event.

“Instead of the university being a marketplace of ideas, they have used ethnic intimidation… what message does that send to the student body,” Salman asked?

Others came up to speak on their perspective, standing with Palestine and chanting “Shame on ASU” for their silence on the issue.

Once the speech ended, people began to march throughout the campus.

ASU has responded, saying the “event featuring Congresswoman Tlaib was planned and produced by groups not affiliated with ASU and was organized outside of ASU policies and procedures,” according to the statement.