Sproul Plaza Occupation Demands University Divestment and Protection for Palestinian Students
The University of California, Berkeley (UCB) has joined the growing list of campuses embroiled in anti-Israel protests. On Monday, students occupied part of the Sproul Plaza, staging a sit-in and establishing an encampment.
UCB Divest, a coalition of students, staff, and faculty members, is leading the charge. They demand the university divest from corporations, particularly military manufacturers, that support Israel’s war effort. The group also calls for campus policies that safeguard Palestinian students and an end to violence in Gaza.
Calls for Palestinian Solidarity and Condemnation of Anti-Semitism
“As students of this university, we have no choice but to take action as UC Berkeley stays silent about our people’s genocide and remains complicit in the mass murder of Palestinians,” the group stated.
The White House has strongly denounced recent anti-Semitic violence, stating, “This blatant antisemitism is reprehensible and dangerous.” The administration has pledged to implement strategies to combat anti-Semitism and protect the Jewish community.
Tents Raised to Show Solidarity and Spark Change
The protesters plan to keep their tents up until the university meets their demands. They claim they are prepared for arrests, but Monday’s rally remained peaceful.
UC Berkeley spokesperson Dan Mogulof said the university is aware of the protests but has no plans to change its investment policies. “Berkeley is prioritizing students’ academic interests and will take steps to ensure the protest does not disrupt university operations,” he stated.
Nationwide Student Protests Spread to Ivy League Institutions
These protests are part of a wave of campus upheavals sparked by the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. Columbia University has also been the site of significant demonstrations, leading to a shift to hybrid learning and over 100 arrests.
This widespread student activism underscores the growing concerns about Israel’s actions and the need for universities to address the safety and well-being of Palestinian students on their campuses.
Images from the Protests
[Image 1: Pro-Palestinian protesters stage a demonstration in front of Sather Gate on the UC Berkeley campus. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)]
[Image 2: Pro-Palestinian protesters carry signs as they march in front of Sather Gate on the UC Berkeley campus. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)]
[Image 3: Pro-Palestinian protesters set up a tent encampment during a demonstration in front of Sproul Hall on the UC Berkeley campus. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)]
[Image 4: Students are calling for the creation of a Palestinian Studies program, an academic and financial boycott of Israel, and a cease-fire in Gaza. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)]
Data sourced from: foxnews.com
