Students and community members holding a demonstration remained on the University of Wisconsin campus overnight. The demonstration began April 29 at 9 a.m., and comes amid a wave of student demonstrations in response to the war in Gaza on college campuses across the nation.
In an Instagram post ahead of the beginning of the second day of the demonstration, Students for Justice in Palestine UW–Madison called for UW’s divestment from the state of Israel. The same message underscored Monday’s demonstration.
Monday evening, UW leadership addressed the campus community in a statement. The statement restated campus and state policy regarding protest and encampment under Chapter 18 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code, which defines and prohibits camping on university property. The UW administrators said in the statement that once protesters are in compliance with these policies, a meeting can be arranged to discuss the demands made during the day Monday.
A heightened presence of UW Police Department officers was seen around the encampment Monday night. Officers from law enforcement units across the city and state were seen congregating at the Fluno Center carrying zip tie handcuffs and gas masks, but there was no use of chemical weapons and no arrests were made in the encampment at night.
This is a developing story. See live updates below.
10:33 p.m.
Protesters remain peacefully on Library Mall. Lead organizers made logistical announcements for those staying overnight. There is minimal police presence outside the encampment. The Badger Herald will resume reporting on the demonstration at 8 a.m. May 1.
— Reported by Managing Editor Cat Carroll.
9:45 p.m.
The final prayer of the day, Isha, has begun. Other protesters are again surrounding standing tightly with their arms interlocked around those praying, to block potential interruption and interference.
— Reported by Managing Editor Cat Carroll.
9:42 p.m.
As the demonstration passes the 36-hour mark, protesters have again begun chanting. The chants only lasted three minutes.
— Reported by Managing Editor Cat Carroll.
8:48 p.m.
Protesters have put up more tents — there are now more than 30 tents on Library Mall.
— Reported by Managing Editor Cat Carroll.
8:11 p.m.
The sunset prayer, Maghrib, has begun. Other protesters are again surrounding those praying to block potential interruption and interference.
— Reported by Managing Editor Cat Carroll.
7:34 p.m.
A teach-in on reproductive justice in Gaza is underway. The leader of the teach-in is emphasizing the importance of intersectionality in discussing reproductive justice.
— Reported by Managing Editor Cat Carroll.
7:06 p.m.
In an Instagram post, the Blk Power Coalition expressed solidarity with the encampment on Library Mall.
— Reported by Managing Editor Cat Carroll.
6:42 p.m.
An event organizer said protest negotiators met with UW administration twice Monday. The first meeting included Dean of Students Christina Olstad, Associated Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Fernie Rodriguez and Student Affairs Chief of Staff Argyle Wade. The organizer said the administers “did not read” the group’s demands at the time of the meeting.
In yesterday’s second meeting, the organizer said UW administration would be contacting Alatout with information regarding the timeline in which tents need to be removed before police escort demonstrators from Library Mall.
Another organizer told the crowd that faculty invited Mnookin to meet to discuss the demonstration, under the condition that students will be present at the meeting.
The organizer also offered laundry services to those who stayed over night on Monday.
— Reported by Managing Editor Sophia Scolman.
6:23 p.m.
Event organizers are screen printing “DIVEST” onto shirts for demonstrators. One organizer invited demonstrators to visit “The People’s Kitchen” tent for food ahead of the 6:30 p.m. updates.
— Reported by News Associate Editor Margaret Shreiner.
6:13 p.m.
SJP UW–Madison said in an Instagram story post that they will be speaking at the encampment regarding updates on their negotiations with UW administration at 6:30 p.m.
— Reported by Digital News Editor Brianna Davis.
6:03 p.m.
Demonstrators cleared a space for the late afternoon prayer, Asr, and are standing in a circle around those praying in order to block them from potential interference.
There are now 28 tents at the encampment on Library Mall.
— Reported by Digital News Editor Brianna Davis.
4:36 p.m.
A group of five Jewish UW students and one community member are seated at the front entrance of the Wisconsin Historical Society. They said they want to express their discomfort with the demonstration but do not plan to participate in a counterprotest.
— Reported by Associate News Editor Anna Smith.
4:17 p.m.
A counterprotestor, who identified himself as a UW alum, is circling the encampment, carrying a flag that reads “end anti-semitism on campus” and handing out flyers.
— Reported by Digital News Editor Brianna Davis.
3:49 p.m.
When asked by reporters in Milwaukee, Gov. Tony Evers said the encampments on campus cannot last forever.
“Well, at some point in time, the encampments have to end, whether that’s done voluntarily or not,” Evers said in a video posted to the social platform X by CBS58 reporter A.J. Bayatpour. “We will eventually take action if we have to, but we believe that everyone is in good faith here.”
— Reported by Digital News Editor Brianna Davis.
3:36 p.m. Demonstrators set up library at encampment
Organizers have set up the “Refaat Alareer Memorial Library” — named for the Palestinian activist and poet who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza in December. The library inside the encampment is intended to “encourage learning in ways that university doesn’t always provide us,” an organizer said. Books in the library educate students on civil rights and humanitarian issues throughout history, including titles from authors such as Angela Davis and Omar Barghouti. Organizers encouraged protesters to pick up a book and share with others.
— Reported by News Associate Editor Margaret Shreiner.
2:53 p.m.
Community and environmental sociology professor Samer Alatout delivered a teach-in at 2:35 p.m. titled “How Gaza is Liberating People Globally and in the U.S.” Alatout compared the history of the Palestinian movement to other civil rights movements, including the Black Power Movement and American Indian Movement.
— Reported by News Associate Editor Margaret Shreiner.
1:35 p.m.
UWPD is currently present at the protest as a cautionary measure to keep everyone safe and officers will stay through the day, according to Executive Director of Communications for UWPD Marc Lovicott. Last night, UWPD did reach out to officer partners in case of any disruptive behavior from protesters.
“It was a safety thing and we expect the same for today,” Lovicott said.
Lovicott is unsure if the officer partners will be returning tonight, but clarified the actions of the police officers at the Fluno Center last night were a precautionary measure, as far as he is aware.
Plisch is currently on scene looking to establish a positive dialogue with protesters to get compliance with the state law that prohibits tents on campus, according to Lovicott. Lovicott does not know if there are plans to force removal of the encampment from Library Mall if protesters do not comply.
— Reported by Digital News Editor Brianna Davis.
12:11 p.m.
A teach-in on Palestinian refugees is underway.
— Reported by Managing Editor Cat Carroll.
11:38 a.m.
UWPD Interim Chief Brent Plisch is on Library Mall standing near the encampment. Other UWPD officers have been seen around the protesters.
— Reported by Managing Editor Cat Carroll.
11 a.m.
Dean of Students Christina Olstad and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Lori Reesor have arrived and are standing near the encampment in Library Mall. Protesters have raised a canopy tent ahead of a teach-in scheduled for noon.
— Reported by Contributing Writer Haia Al Zein.
10:36 a.m.
U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI-02) said in a post on the social media platform X the student protests on the UW campus are reminiscent of the anti-war protests that occurred in response to the Vietnam War in the 1960s.
Pocan’s district includes the UW campus.
— Reported by Managing Editor Cat Carroll.
9:34 a.m.
A lead organizer encouraged protesters to inform media if they do not want their photos taken and shared online. The announcement was made in an effort to best protect the identity of protesters.
— Reported by Managing Editor Cat Carroll.
9:20 a.m.
The demonstration has passed the 24-hour mark. Tents remain on Library Mall.
— Reported by Managing Editor Cat Carroll.
8:24 a.m.
State Rep. Francesca Hong (D-Madison) is on Library Mall speaking with organizers. In a post on the social media platform X yesterday, Hong said “protest is direct democracy.”
She added that she felt safe joining the “courageous students, faculty/staff & community members in demanding justice for Palestine.”
— Reported by Managing Editor Cat Carroll.
8:16 a.m.
Protesters are peacefully on Library Mall sharing food with one another, and many are sitting using computers. The crowd of protesters is slowly growing in size.
— Reported by Managing Editor Cat Carroll.
