Columbia University has unveiled a moving memorial dedicated to the 1,200 victims of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks in Israel, transforming part of its campus into a powerful visual tribute to the lives lost.
The installation, organized by DiploAct and Let’s Do Something, features 1,200 empty seats, each displaying the photo and name of a victim. Stretching nearly a mile across the campus, the display symbolizes the immense human cost of one of Israel’s darkest days.
According to the organizers, the project seeks to “restore the individual humanity of each victim” amid global divisions over the Gaza conflict.
“Each chair represents a life, a story cut short,” a spokesperson for DiploAct stated. “This memorial is about remembrance, empathy, and truth.”
The university, which has faced intense campus tensions since the October 7 attacks, says the exhibit is part of efforts to foster reflection and dialogue.
In 2024, Columbia became the center of nationwide student protests following anti-Israel demonstrations that led to police intervention.
The memorial will remain on display through the week, coinciding with a series of events marking the second anniversary of the October 7 tragedy.
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