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

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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.

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