Darializa Avila Chevalier, a Columbia University alumna and current PhD student at the City University of New York, played a central role in organizing a pro-Hamas encampment at Columbia University in April 2024. As a prominent activist affiliated with Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD), Chevalier participated in protests and advocated for Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) initiatives targeting companies that support Israel. Her actions included public statements promoting divestment and supporting extremist rhetoric.
Chevalier’s leadership in the encampment included chants invoking “intifada” and the use of symbols associated with Hamas, a designated terrorist organization. Despite university warnings, the encampment continued, featuring inflammatory rhetoric and fostering a hostile environment. Chevalier also worked closely with alumni organizers, as highlighted in media coverage, to sustain and amplify the protest’s goals, which were heavily criticized for promoting antisemitic narratives.
In addition to her role in CUAD, Chevalier has a history of engaging with anti-Israel activism. She contributed to platforms like Electronic Intifada and designed campaign materials for CUAD. Her efforts have further normalized extremist narratives within activist spaces, reinforcing divisive ideologies under the guise of advocacy for justice.
Highlighting Her Activity:
- Encampment Leadership: Organized and led a pro-Hamas encampment at Columbia, marked by chants and symbols promoting extremist rhetoric.
- Advocacy for Divestment: Actively supported BDS initiatives through CUAD and public organizing efforts.
- Promotion of Antisemitism: Contributed to protests and media narratives that amplified hostility toward Jewish communities.
- Anti-Israel Activism: Authored content for Electronic Intifada and created campaign materials advancing divisive agendas.
