How a fake protester encampment spurred actual protesters to show up

A film set created to look like a protester encampment at New York’s Queens College prompted actual protesters to show up on Tuesday, July 23. The mock encampment had been set up by CBS’ “FBI: Most Wanted” and was being filmed as part of an episode for the show’s sixth season, which featured a climate protest.

The scene reportedly resembled a pro-Palestinian protest scene found on college campuses across the United State this spring. The display angered a group of 15 protesters who said that it trivialized the pro-Palestinian movement. The activists stood feet away from the set and accused actors and producers of filming propaganda.

Meanwhile, a representative for the college defended the filming of the episode at Queens College, pointing out that the campus is often a place where film shoots are held by “reputable” production companies and media outlets. The college also said that it was advised the focus would be on climate change protests at a fictitious college.

However, protesters did not agree with the school’s assessment. The group of activists accused the production team of misrepresenting the pro-Palestinian protests.

“The rental of the QC Campus for this film shoot is a clear attempt to simultaneously demonize and profit from the student movement,” one flyer read.

The scenes filmed at on the college campus were reportedly dramatic, with mock explosions, fires and actors covered in fake blood.

The producers involved in the filming declined to comment on the protesters.

Earlier this year, thousands of college students across the nation demonstrated at encampments on university campuses. Those students demanded a cease-fire in Gaza and, in some cases, for their schools to divest from Israel and U.S. arms manufacturers. Some incidents led to clashes with counter protesters, mass arrests and multiple schools canceled graduation ceremonies.