Penn State Students for Justice in Palestine took over Pattee Mall on Monday with displays protesting Israeli military actions in Gaza and Penn State’s involvement in the conflict. A student member of the organization said the group had gone through the proper procedures for the display with Penn State and booked the space for its event.

Down Pollock Road, Penn State Hillel hosted a table on HUB Lawn showcasing virtual reality stories from survivors of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks in Israel.

Around the memorial on Pattee Mall, signs displayed information about the conflict in the Middle East, showing how protestors felt Israel had murdered Palestinian citizens since the start of the war in October 2023.

Those displays were accompanied by various displays representing different parts of Palestinian life and Penn State’s involvement.

One display featured a refugee tent, representing the tents Palestinian refugees slept in, while another display featured a classroom, noting that many children in Gaza haven’t gone to school since the war started, one member of the group said.

Across the sidewalk, a dinner table showed how Palestinian families tried to maintain a sense of normalcy with family dinners, the member said.

Further toward the library, a bomb with phrases like “End the Penn State war machine” and “Applied Research Lab off our campus,” criticizing Penn State’s work with the United States military, which has supported Israel throughout the conflict.

Throughout the year, the Students for Justice in Palestine have held protests against the conflict, including a recent “week of rage” against a broken ceasefire. In October, the group held protests, which included a similar display on HUB Lawn, though that display was vandalized.