San José State student protesters removed pro-Palestinian adornments on the Victory Salute statue following a request made by four alumni on Thursday.
The Palestinian flags, keffiyehs and signs were removed following an email statement sent by SJSU alumnus and activist Harry Edwards.
The statement requested for the immediate removal of the items, according to an email sent to the Spartan Daily.
Sang Hea Kil, a faculty member in justice studies, said the solidarity items were removed from the statue after the statement to the encampment was published.
“I did advise (the students) that in the interest and respect to both Tommie Smith and John Carlos,” Kil said. “We should probably have those taken down.”
SJSU alumnus and activist Tommie Smith was among the four alumni who signed the statement.
“Yes (the email) was talked about before, I don't verify anything that someone else said without me seeing it,” Smith said.
He said the statue isn’t there to solidify someone else's beliefs when they are not related to the Olympic Project for Human Rights.
The Olympic Project for Human Rights was an organization focused on advocating for Black athletes and the welfare of Black individuals, according to Levi Stadium's website.
Harry Edwards, the founder of the Olympic Project for Human Rights, echoed Smith’s sentiment regarding flags, posters and banners on the statue.
“I support people camping out if they feel that's the way they’re going to get their word out,” Edwards said. “What I have an issue with, is where the encampment is and the desecration of that monument.”
John Carlos, activist and SJSU alumnus, said in an email that he sees nothing wrong with the demonstration as long as protesters aren’t vandalizing or destroying the statue.
Edwards said there was a consensus among the signers at the time the email was sent, but that people have taken into perspective regarding the situation of the encampment.
Ricardo Gouveia, an artist known as “Rigo 23” who designed the Victory Salute statue reaffirmed his stance regarding the student protesters.
“I think it’s a bit disingenuous to suggest the students need permission from 2024 Tommie Smith and John Carlos to carry out their protest,” Gouveia said.
Gouveia said he doesn’t think any person in the encampment would want to do something to offend Smith or Carlos.
“We still take great inspiration from their revolutionary stance in their Black power salute,” Kil said. “And the students will continue their encampment until their divestment demands and other demands are met.”
She said that students hope to have an open bargaining session, similar to the one that took place at San Francisco State University.
SFSU President Lynn Mahoney announced plans to divest from weapon manufacturers following a two-week encampment, according to a May 14 Golden Gate Xpress article.
“We look forward to the university president also participating in these types of open bargaining sessions,” Kil said. “So that we can agree and have a fair, open and transparent negotiation.”
