It’s not uncommon for rioters and protesters to break some eggs while making omelets for their just cause. However, some of them who sympathize and fight for Palestine have ruined hundreds of harmless flowers in a university garden in Michigan. Their “statement” has since been criticized online, with authorities now searching for those who vandalized the university garden.
The act of vandalism supposedly took place on a Saturday afternoon in the WE Upjohn Peony Garden at the University of Michigan. The university’s security officers only found out about the vandalism several days later. Around 250 out of 800 peony plants have had their flowers intentionally slashed and cut, then left on the ground. This act was also deliberately committed during the flowers’ bloom time.
While no suspects were seen or caught in the act, they left a note with their justification summed up in the title: “PLANT LIVES DON’T MATTER. HUMAN LIVES DO.” Additionally, the note gives a short history lesson about how many Palestinians have been killed since 2023 (over 50,000) and contrasts it with how many flowers in the university garden bloom and are taken care of.
The note then ends with a call to action:
“Stop the war. Resist Imperialism. Show your support. Wear a keffiyeh. Replace your U.S. flag with a Palestinian flag. Pressure those in power. Palestinian lives deserve to be care for. More than these flowers,” according to the vandals/protesters transcript courtesy of University of Michigan Division of Public Safety and Security along with CBS News
In the linked video, the Director of Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum even claimed that thousands of flowers were cut. Despite the saddening vandalism that the peonies endured, their roots weren’t exactly pulled, so they’ll still bloom again. Apparently, the vandals were even aware that the peonies would grow again.
Better Ways to Protest?
So far, the university police haven’t caught anyone, and while the message is clear and pressing, it appears many people took issue with the method of how it was conveyed. The phrase “barking up the wrong tree” comes to mind, and there’s also no reason why people can’t both enjoy peonies while supporting Palestinians in their struggle against ethnic cleansing.
However, the damage caused to the flowers and the emotional distress that the garden visitors experience likely overshadowed the small note that the protesters left behind in support of Palestine. Thus, the vandals have drawn the ire of many critics online, even from people who support Palestine.
Others have likened the misfired statement to the crimes of Palestinian supporters who have performed violent acts for an ironically peaceful message. Thankfully, this time, only flowers were harmed.
“Ah yes, the perfect way to garner support for your cause. Destroy something that brings to joy to someone else, that’ll do it. /S,” jokes coolest35
“I didn’t realize the University of Michigan was oppressing the people of Palestine,” says K1dn3yFa1lur3
“Not the best way to protest this is just rude and dumb 🙄,” states Hailsabrina
