The pro-Palestine encampment demonstration on Library Mall is heading into its seventh day as University of Wisconsin students enter their first day of exams. The number of tents standing in the encampment exceeds 40 — the highest number yet.
Protest organizers met with UW administrators Saturday to continue negotiations. During the meeting, negotiators discussed the presence of the UW Police Department on campus and the disclosure of UW Foundation investments, according to protest organizers.
In a statement released Saturday evening, UW administrators emphasized they had made no commitment to the disclosure or divestment of Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association investments.
While administrators recognized student concerns with law enforcement, they said removing UWPD from campus was “not an option.” But, campus leaders agreed to ask UWPD to avoid taking action on the encampment while negotiations were underway.
This is a developing story. See live updates below.
6:20 p.m.
UW faculty and staff are holding a walkout Monday in solidarity with encampment protesters, starting with a gathering on Library Mall at 2:15 p.m. Around 3 p.m., demonstrators plan to march to Bascom Hall and attend the final Faculty Senate meeting of the semester to show support for those impacted by police action on the encampment Wednesday, according to an Instagram post. The post said protesters will abide by “all posted rules and regulations” of the Faculty Senate.
— Reported by Managing Editor Sophia Scolman.
6:08 p.m.
Encampment demonstrators held a 5:30 p.m. meeting, titled “Consensus Building and Escalation,” speaking to a crowd of about 100.
— Reported by Managing Editor Sophia Scolman.
3:05 p.m.
UW professor of community and environmental sociology Samer Alatout is leading a teach-in on Palestinian history and the history of Palestinian resistance.
“Only through a historical lens, can we understand why we are here [the encampment demonstration] the way we are,” Alatout said.
— Reported by Managing Editor Cat Carroll.
2:01 p.m.
A teach-in on collective care and liberation movements is underway. A group of protesters is sitting in a circle discussing the topic at hand.
— Reported by Managing Editor Cat Carroll.
1:32 p.m.
Students for Justice in Palestine released an updated schedule on Instagram to include the 5:30 p.m. meeting on “Consensus Building and Escalation,” plus Dabke learning at 7 p.m. and a movie screening of “The Battle of Algiers” at 9 p.m.
— Reported by Editor-in-Chief Celia Hiorns.
12:08 p.m.
The demonstration’s noon teach-in, titled “Healing Through Decolonization,” has begun.
The speaker is telling a group of about 20 listeners how sustained colonization creates feelings that “it’s always been this way.” The speaker also said the process of decolonization takes years of sustained effort to accomplish.
— Reported by Managing Editor Sophia Scolman.
11:17 a.m.
Event organizers made an announcement about general reminders for demonstrators, and added a 5:30 p.m. meeting to today’s agendas to discuss “escalation tactics” to make progress on demand negotiations.
An organizer told The Badger Herald they have no updates regarding further meetings with UW administration.
Organizers are gathering demonstrators by the Wisconsin Historical Society to discuss the encampment’s “messaging strategy” for continuing to center Palestine in the demonstration.
— Reported by Managing Editor Sophia Scolman.
9:55 a.m.
Red dresses and children’s clothing are hanging on clotheslines on the State Street and Memorial Library sides of the Library Mall. The displays are intended to recognize the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit, which is observed annually on May 5.
— Reported by Editor-in-Chief Celia Hiorns.
9:36 a.m.
There are 50 tents in the encampment demonstration on Library Mall Sunday morning. Some demonstrators are gathering near the center of the mall. The encampment is peaceful and the lawn is fairly empty.
— Reported by Editor-in-Chief Celia Hiorns.
