Mae Antar

Last semester, Adam Ahmed was enrolled as a junior at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign studying chemistry. As a Palestinian from Gaza, Ahmed was growing frustrated with the school’s response to calls for divesting from companies supporting Israel’s military operations in the region. “The university has ignored every call from its student body to divest, to engage with its  students,” said Ahmed.

A national organization is urging businesses in East Central Illinois to boycott products with ties to Israel and its war in Gaza. The campaign is called “No Appetite for Apartheid.” Similar campaigns have been launched in New Orleans, Tampa and now Champaign-Urbana.

The Urbana Free Library is working to preserve and promote local history – while working to address the needs of the future, according to its new executive director. Taliah Abdullah was appointed to the position in July. She said the library has been updating its Champaign County Historical Archives since last year. “This is such a hidden gem I feel like in our community,” she said. Abdullah also said the library has seen growing demand for technology and other supplies.