Masked pro-Palestinian protesters disrupt Cal Poly talk by wounded IDF veterans

The masked demonstrators chanted, "Hey, hey, ho, ho, the IDF has got to go," and "Stop killing mothers, stop killing fathers, stop killing kids, stop killing doctors."

Pro-Palestinian activists disrupted an on-campus event hosting two Israel Defense Forces veterans at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, on Sunday, prompting a police response and forcing attendees to use an alternate exit. 

Masked protesters interrupted the gathering before the speakers began, chanting slogans and displaying signs accusing the military of genocide, according to student media reports and video footage of the incident.

The event, titled "Rising to the Challenge," was hosted in a university classroom by Mustangs United for Israel and Cal Poly Chabad, in collaboration with CAMERA on Campus.

The gathering featured Eliyahu Green and Ariel Saat, two wounded IDF veterans who fought in Gaza following the October 7 attacks, who were scheduled to speak about their experiences surviving combat and their personal recoveries as part of a US campus tour organized by the Belev Echad organization.

According to the student newspaper Mustang News, the event drew approximately 40 students and community members.

Chants, claims of genocide by masked demonstrators

Before the veterans began speaking, nine masked demonstrators entered the classroom carrying an Israeli flag splattered with red paint that read "IDF kills," alongside signs displaying phrases including "UN says genocide," "The IDF kills kids," and "End the occupation," Mustang News reported.

Video footage circulated on social media showed the protesters standing at the front of the room while a university police officer instructed them to leave, informing the group that their actions had amounted to a disruption of the event and violated the university's Time, Place and Manner policy.

In the video footage, the officer can be heard telling the activists, "You are not allowed to interrupt the message and the event. However, you do have a right to be present and to be in the area".

When the activists questioned which code they were violating, officers cited section 626.6 of campus policy and directed them to a designated protest area outside. As officers moved the group out of the classroom, the protesters chanted, "Hey, hey, ho, ho, the IDF has got to go," and "Stop killing mothers, stop killing fathers, stop killing kids, stop killing doctors."

The activists initially moved into the hallway where they continued chanting slogans before eventually being moved outside the building by police, Mustang News reported.

Students had to leave through an alternate exit

According to a statement posted to X/Twitter by the media monitoring organization CAMERA, the university required a security presence involving eight police officers to ensure the talk took place. The organization noted that students who attended the event had to leave through an alternate exit due to the crowd of protesters gathering in the main exit area.

Following the event, Hillel of San Luis Obispo, Chabad on Campus, and Mustangs United for Israel released a joint statement on social media addressing the disruption. The organizations stated, "Agitators were present and attempted to disrupt the event; however, thanks to university police and administration officials, we were able to carry forward as planned."

The statement added that the groups remain committed to educating about Jewish history and traditions while building positive relationships with diverse communities on campus.