Baltimore, Maryland – Following weeks of protests, Johns Hopkins University and demonstrators occupying a pro-Palestinian encampment on the Homewood campus have agreed to end the demonstration immediately. In exchange for dismantling the encampment and halting any potential restarts, Hopkins has committed to swiftly reviewing the protestors’ calls for divestment.
The Hopkins Justice Collective, the group leading the protests, announced that Hopkins has agreed to expedite its Public Interest Investment Advisory Committee process by five months. The university’s Board of Trustees will convene to discuss the proposal for divestment in March or June of 2025. Additionally, Hopkins has agreed to cease student conduct proceedings related to the encampment, as long as there are no further disruptions on campus, excluding violence or property damage.
Despite the agreement, non-affiliated protesters have been asked to vacate the campus. Demonstrators were seen on Sunday packing up their tents on the campus lawn known as “The Beach.” The collective referred to the negotiations as a step towards Johns Hopkins’ potential divestment from Israel.
The agreement comes after previous negotiations earlier in the month failed to reach a resolution. Administrators had presented protesters with a letter to sign, promising not to disrupt the university’s upcoming commencement in exchange for avoiding disciplinary action. However, the demands for divestment, disclosure of financial ties to Israel, lobbying efforts, and military technology remained unmet, leading to ongoing protests.
The encampment, initiated by students on April 28, aimed to pressure Hopkins to divest from companies supporting Israel. The movement is a response to Israel’s offensive in Gaza following an attack by Hamas. Demonstrations across various universities have resulted in arrests, prompting some institutions to adjust their schedules.
Towson University in Baltimore County has also faced calls for divestment from students, with the school’s student government passing a resolution urging divestment from Israel. The Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement seeks to end international support for Israel and uphold compliance with international law. In response, the Maryland Republican Jewish Council strongly condemned the resolution for potentially isolating Jewish students.