April McBride, a Kennesaw State University freshman who helped organize Wednesday’s rally, called on the university to divest in “war-profiteering companies” that manufacture weapons. She named Lockheed Martin and Boeing specifically.

“In order to push our movement forward we need disclosure and we need to know what our tuition is used for,” McBride said. “We deserve to know where our public funding goes.”

She said she was proud of the “selfless” college protesters taking to campuses across the United States and optimistic the movement will bring about change in the Middle East.

“For the first time in a really long time I feel hopeful about something,” McBride stated.

Kennesaw State University students marched across campus during Wednesday protests.

Credit: Ben Hendren

icon to expand image

Credit: Ben Hendren

Beating drums and carrying banners, the protesters marched through campus and out to the main KSU sign along Chastain Road.

“Up, up with liberation,” a woman shouted through a megaphone. “Down, down with occupation,” the crowd responded in unison.

Unlike the recent demonstrations at the University of Georgia and Emory University, the protesters at KSU were allowed to gather without police interference. Demonstrations remained peaceful and no arrests had been made as of early Wednesday afternoon.

About the Author

Keep Reading

A woman walks into the Park Tavern voting precinct to vote in the Georgia Public Service Commission runoff election on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

Credit: Ben Hendren

Featured

In 2022, Georgia Power projected its winter peak electricity demand would grow by about 400 megawatts by 2031. Since then, Georgia has experienced a boom of data centers, which require a large load of electricty to run, and Georgia Power's recent forecast shows peak demand growing by 20 times the 400-megawatt estimate from just three years ago. (Illustration by Philip Robibero/AJC)

Credit: Illustration: Philip Robibero / AJC