Demonstrators will participate in a seven-hour sit-in on Wednesday at Cornell University to seek "meaningful change" at the Ivy League institution in the wake of an alleged gang rape at a fraternity house in 2024. The protest promoted by a host of student groups, including Cornell NAACP and Students for a Democratic Cornell, includes a sit-in at Toni Morrison Dining Hall starting at 1:30 p.m. ET, as well as a "campus-wide economic blackout," according to organizers.
"ZERO DAY is here," an Instagram post for the rally reads. "Today, we come together in solidarity to stand with survivors of sexual violence and demand accountability, safety, and meaningful change at Cornell." Organizers are encouraging students not to attend class and to forego making any on-campus purchases during the sit-in, the latest in a string of demonstrations to rock Cornell over the handling of alleged sexual violence at a campus fraternity house. A woman known only as Jane Doe filed a lawsuit last month claiming she had been raped by seven Chi Phi members after being coerced with alcohol and ketamine.
All seven accused men have denied the allegations. The rally aims to "demonstrate the collective power" of students, according to material circulated by Cornell NAACP, which also offered a suggested letter for students to provide professors regarding missed class time. "I'm writing to let you know that I will be participating in Zero Day on October 7, a campus-wide economic blackout at Cornell," the letter reads.
"On that day, participants will not attend class and will refrain from using the Cornell Store, print services, vending machines, BRBs, and meal swipes. Our goal is to demonstrate our collective power as members of this community, to call for the administration's acknowledgment of sexual violence on our campus, and to push for consistent protection of students going forward." Cornell University officials acknowledged the sit-in in a message early Wednesday amid growing backlash to alleged mishandling of the 2024 incident. "The activity we have seen has been peaceful and consistent with university policies, and we appreciate the seriousness and commitment with which members of our community are engaging on these difficult issues," a Cornell University spokesperson told Newsweek in a statement.
"The administration is listening, and these conversations are an important part of the work ahead. We respect the right of members of our community to express their views, advocate for change and engage in peaceful activity consistent with university policies." Some students have been calling for Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff to resign or be removed from his role. Many protesters at a campus demonstration on Monday wore purple ribbons or held signs of support, including some that read: "Justice 4 Every Jane Doe." Organizers of Wednesday's sit-in, which will last seven hours to coincide with the duration of the alleged 2024 sexual assault, said they want students to feel "safe and supported" at the university.
"For one day, we withdraw our ordinary participation," organizers wrote. "Instead of spending, swiping, shopping, printing, and moving through campus as usual, we redirect our collective presence toward the issue that brought us together." Neva Crounse, a 20-year-old artist who lives in Ithaca, said she plans on attending Wednesday's sit-in to support Cornell students and accused university administrators of protecting the seven accused fraternity brothers. "People are outraged, clearly," Crounse told Newsweek early Wednesday.
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