UNL History Club held an informative presentation of the History of Student Activism on Monday, partnering with Students for Justice in Palestine, Afrikan People’s Union, Mexican American Student Association and Generation Action.
The event intended to teach students about how protesting has taken many different forms throughout history and alloted time for each student organization to present.
Natasja Swanson, a junior majoring in history as well as classics and religious studies and is the president of the UNL History club, initiated the event.
“There are a lot of different ways that activism is alive and well on campus,” Swanson said.
The lecture opened with a brief video on the history of student activism referencing the unique position college students hold. The tradition of campus protests date back to at least 1507 at the University of Padua in Italy over the cancellation of Carnevale, their equivalent of spring break, according to the California School Boards Association.
“The big spike in campus activism, especially, I would say, among white campus activists, was the Vietnam anti-war campus movements,” Swanson said, “which set the precedent nationwide of coming together for a purpose.”
The disapproval of college student protestors is not a new phenomenon, as parallels can be drawn to campus protest reactions during the Vietnam War, according to PBS.
In May 1970, as a result of the US invasion of Cambodia and the killing of students at Kent State over anti-war protests, over 900 colleges, universities and high schools went on strike. This was the largest student protest in US history according to the University of Washington.
The student organizations displayed short presentations on campus activism and how it relates to their organizations.
Students for Justice in Palestine spoke on how their activism plan was reflective of the college campus anti-apartheid South African movement, a notable divestment campaign in the 1980’s. Nebraska became the first state to adopt economic sanctions against apartheid after former legislator Ernie Chambers was upset over an alumni’s donation of South African Krugerrands to the University of Nebraska.
SJP was recognized as a student organization at UNL in the spring of 2024.
The Afrikan People’s Union spoke about their pillars of activism and highlighted the use of statements, collectivism and protest as tools for change. UNL recognized APU as a student organization in 1969, according to Veronica Sargbah, the Internal Vice President.
The Mexican American Students Association spoke about the need for representation and culture for Latin students transitioning to college. The organization offers scholarships and community events celebrating Latin culture.
Generation Action works with Planned Parenthood to educate, raise awareness about current issues and empower young voters, according to their NvolveU. The speakers from Generation Action included Jada Wraalstad, Ella Mitchell and Kaydence Skies.
Their speakers spoke about the support they offer on campus, such as abortion care kits and contraception, as well as efforts to provide free menstruation products around campus.
Throughout history, campus protests have been a way for young adults to civilly engage in current public discourse protected by their first amendment right of expression and assembly. Each student organization said they are moving forward to echo in the footsteps of past student activists who paved the way for enacting change.