On Wednesday afternoon, a significant gathering of more than 100 students, faculty members, and staff assembled at White Plaza on Stanford University's campus. They participated in a coordinated walkout to voice their strong opposition to what they describe as the institution's financial and academic connections with the defense technology company Palantir. This protest, organized by multiple campus groups, represents the culmination of months of sustained student activism focused on this pressing issue.
Protest Details and Organizers
Demonstrators carried signs with bold messages such as "PURGE PALANTIR" and loudly called for the university to divest from the company. According to detailed reporting by The Stanford Daily, the protest was meticulously coordinated by several student organizations, including Students for Justice in Palestine, Tech for Liberation, and the campus chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. Palantir, a prominent data analytics firm co-founded by Stanford alumnus Peter Thiel, has faced intense criticism from various civil liberties organizations due to its controversial work with U.S. immigration authorities and foreign military forces. Protesters argued that these activities starkly conflict with the ethical values that Stanford University claims to uphold and promote.
Administrative Presence and University Response
Several university administrators were present during the walkout, accompanied by campus police officers to ensure order. Despite this, Stanford University did not respond to a formal request for comment from The Stanford Daily regarding the protest and its underlying demands. This lack of immediate response has further fueled the demonstrators' concerns about institutional accountability and transparency.
Allegations of Financial and Institutional Links
Organizers of the protest emphasized that their actions were driven by deep concerns about Stanford's investment practices and its multifaceted relationship with Palantir, which extends beyond mere financial ties. Amanda Campos, a member of Students for Justice in Palestine and one of the key organizers, told The Stanford Daily that the university and Palantir share "long-known ties that must be brought into the light." Campos specifically pointed to Stanford-affiliated venture capital funds, such as the Founders Fund, which was co-founded by Peter Thiel and served as an early investor in Palantir. Although Stanford does not publicly disclose individual endowment holdings, its endowment is widely known to invest heavily in private equity and venture capital funds, as reported earlier by The Stanford Daily.
Criticism of Institutional Endorsement
Protesters also criticized what they described as institutional endorsement through recruiting pipelines and academic engagement. In recent years, Palantir executives have actively taught or lectured at Stanford. For instance, Palantir's chief technology officer, Shyam Sankar, taught the course CS153 in 2025, and Peter Thiel previously taught CS183 on startups back in 2012. These academic involvements have raised questions about the university's role in legitimizing the company's operations.
Challenging Institutional Neutrality
Several students involved in the protest expressed that their actions were rooted in a firm belief that universities should align their financial and academic relationships with the ethical values they teach. In a message shared with The Stanford Daily, rally attendee Samantha Dizon cited a statement from Tech for Liberation that questioned what Stanford's role in funding and developing such technology means for students' education. Other organizers directly challenged Stanford's stated position of institutional neutrality. Juhae Song, another student organizer, told The Stanford Daily that when tuition fees and university-developed technology are connected to surveillance and military operations, "institutional silence is anything but neutral."
Policy Grounds for Divestment
Organizers with Students for Justice in Palestine argued that Palantir's work with immigration enforcement agencies and foreign militaries violates Stanford's own Statement on Investment Responsibility. This policy explicitly allows for divestment in cases involving serious issues such as apartheid, genocide, human trafficking, slavery, and violations of child labor laws. One student, who requested anonymity due to concerns about potential retaliation, told The Stanford Daily that the timing of the walkout was deliberately chosen. The protest followed a vigil held to mourn victims of recent immigration raids, and the student explained that this sequence was intended to powerfully connect remembrance with accountability.
A Broader Campus Tension
The protest unfolded against a backdrop of strong student interest in defense and national security careers at Stanford. The Stanford Technology and National Security Conference, hosted by the Gordian Knot Center, is among the largest of its kind in the country, and several student groups on campus actively focus on national security and defense technology. For the protesters, this contrast was a significant part of their concern. They emphasized that the walkout was not solely about one company but about how universities navigate partnerships, investments, and influence in areas closely tied to state power and international conflict. As of Wednesday evening, Stanford University had not publicly addressed the specific demands raised during the walkout, leaving the campus community awaiting a formal response.
