Protests have erupted at universities around the country as students and faculty members continue to denounce Israel for its actions in the ongoing conflict with Palestine. On Monday, the campus of the University of California- Berkeley joined the list of schools where students occupied part of the campus in a sit-in protest. The group leading the charge is called UCB Divest, a coalition that includes students, staff, and faculty members.
The protests at Berkeley have been ongoing for several days, and the group is now calling on the community to show their support for the cause. The group has set up an encampment in Sproul Plaza, which is believed to be the first of its kind on the West Coast. The group has been using social media to mobilize supporters, stating that they will “need you every night throughout this week to take up space with us.” They also mentioned the recent arrests of students at Columbia University during a similar protest.
The main demands of the UCB Divest include the university divesting from corporations that are aiding Israel in the conflict, implementing policies to protect Palestinian students, and calling for an end to the violence in Gaza. The group believes that as students of the university, they have a responsibility to take action and speak out against what they see as “genocide” and “mass murder” of Palestinians.
The university administration has responded to the protests, with a spokesperson stating that the university does not plan on changing its investment policies and practices. The spokesperson also mentioned that the university is prioritizing students’ academic interests as the semester comes to a close and will take the necessary steps to ensure that the protest does not disrupt university operations.
The protests on college campuses have gained attention from the White House, with a recent statement condemning the “blatant antisemitism” and calling it “reprehensible and dangerous.” The statement also mentions the first-ever National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism, which the administration is implementing to protect the Jewish community.
The protests at Berkeley are part of a larger movement on college campuses across the country. Just last week, over 100 protesters were arrested at Columbia University, and the school has since announced that they will be moving to a fully hybrid learning system for the remainder of the semester. The protests have also spread to other Ivy League schools and beyond.
At the time of writing, the protest at Berkeley had been peaceful, with no sign of police intervention. The UCB Divest group has stated that they are prepared to be arrested, but for now, they are continuing their sit-in protest. The university has not released a statement regarding the protest at this time.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine has sparked much debate and controversy across the world, and college campuses are not immune to it. Protests, both for and against Israel, have been taking place at universities in the United States, putting pressure on administrations to take a stance on the issue. As the protests at Berkeley continue, it remains to be seen if the university will address the demands of the UCB Divest or if the encampment will come to an end.
