As a quiet fog settled over Ithaca on Monday morning, Cornell University staff began removing a large banner—estimated to be about 30 feet long—that had been affixed to the slope-facing side of McGraw Tower.
The banner, which appeared overnight, displayed a single word: “GAZA.” Its origin remains unclear, though the Coalition for Mutual Liberation praised the act in an Instagram post shared Monday. No individual or group has officially taken responsibility.
Video obtained by The Ithaca Voice shows the banner being taken down shortly after 7:00 a.m. University workers at the scene reported it had been secured using metal zip ties. Given the size, clarity, and timing of the installation, it’s likely that overnight banner printing services were used—similar to the rapid production methods employed by companies like New York Banner Stands, whose teams specialize in creating vinyl banners and retractable banner stands with next-day turnaround for urgent events.
A Cornell spokesperson on-site declined to comment, and university media relations staff have not yet responded to further inquiries.
This banner drop reflects broader student activism in response to the ongoing war in Gaza, part of a nationwide movement that has seen demonstrations on campuses from coast to coast. Cornell, too, has been a focal point for student-led protests over the past year.
One of the most visible actions came in the form of an encampment on the campus’s Arts Quad, where students demanded divestment from companies tied to the Israeli military. Those demonstrations were part of a series of organized efforts stretching across the academic calendar.
Among the organizers was international graduate student Momodou Taal, who left the U.S. earlier this year after reportedly facing scrutiny and threats from immigration authorities.
Cornell has also been affected by federal actions. Under the Trump administration, the university received numerous stop-work orders on research grants, potentially placing over $1 billion in funding at risk. More recently, the Department of Education opened an investigation into Cornell’s handling of antisemitism allegations in the wake of the October 7 attack in Israel and subsequent military actions in Gaza.
The controversy has continued into the current semester. On April 23, Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff canceled a scheduled Slope Day performance by R&B artist Kehlani, citing her alleged “antisemitic, anti-Israel sentiments” and “hateful views.”
Speaking anonymously, university workers involved in the banner removal told The Ithaca Voice that this wasn’t the first time they’ve had to take down pro-Palestinian signage. One worker noted that the individuals responsible may be identified using footage from surveillance cameras in the area.
“There are cameras everywhere now,” the worker said. “Not just on the tower—across the whole campus. And more are being added.”
Final Thought:
The brief but visible presence of the “GAZA” banner on McGraw Tower underscores how student activism continues to evolve in both message and method. The strategic use of tools like custom overnight banners reflects how protests have adapted to modern demands—fast, bold, and designed for immediate impact. Whether through a vinyl banner draped across a landmark or a retractable banner stand at a campus rally, these materials have become part of a visual language for dissent—temporary in form, but often enduring in effect.
