Pro-Palestine protesters, led by Students for Justice in Palestine UW–Madison, have been calling for the University of Wisconsin’s divestment from the state of Israel and denouncing the ongoing war in Gaza. An encampment was put up in the heart of campus Monday, despite the removal of over 30 tents by law enforcement Wednesday.
Since the removal, protesters have set up more tents and have reaffirmed they will remain at the encampment until the demands sent to UW Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin are answered.
Yesterday, an organizer said Mnookin agreed to meet with student protesters today regarding the demands. An Instagram post by SJP says the meeting is scheduled for 8:30 a.m.
This is a developing story. See live updates below.
9:20 p.m.
Poetry reading continues as demonstrators sit quietly across the Library Mall lawn. Student organizers are set to meet with Mnookin Thursday morning. UW administrators told the organizers there would be no police action taken before tomorrow’s meeting.
The Badger Herald will continue reporting on the Library Mall encampment demonstration at 7 a.m.
9:15 p.m.
Demonstrators have begun reading poetry on Library Mall.
— Reported by Managing Editor Cat Carroll.
7:22 p.m.
In celebration of Palestinian culture, Arabic music is playing and demonstrators are performing the traditional Palestinian folk dance, Dabke, in front of Memorial Library.
— Reported by Managing Editor Cat Carroll.
6:24 p.m.
Over 60 Jewish UW faculty, staff and students have signed a letter in support of protesters on campus and the university’s divestment from the state of Israel.
“Our support of the encampment is an expression both of our pride in being openly Jewish and our condemnation of Israel’s brutal occupation of Palestinians,” the letter said.
— Reported by Managing Editor Cat Carroll.
6:00 p.m.
A teach-in hosted by a member of the Blk Pwr Coalition has begun. The demonstration drew parallels between Black and Palestinian liberation, emphasizing shared struggles of colonialism and occupation. The BPC representative also pointed out the shared solidarity and collaboration of advocacy and mutual support that both groups participate in.
— Reported by Digital News Editor Brianna Davis.
5:12 p.m.
An organizer is teaching how to create and print zines in the center of Library Mall.
— Reported by Digital News Editor Brianna Davis.
3:41 p.m.
A protester said the truck displaying pro-Palestinian messages is not affiliated with the protest, but has been by Library Mall since early this morning. They added that the operator of the vehicle is charging $120 per hour to display messages.
— Reported by News Associate Editor Margaret Shreiner.
2:55 p.m.
A University Committee meeting scheduled for noon Thursday was canceled. One of the agenda items, “Discussion of protest events,” was moved to the committee’s May 6 agenda.
— Reported by Editor-in-Chief Celia Hiorns.
1:46 p.m.
In a letter to Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett, nine members of the Dane County Board of Supervisors expressed their disappointment regarding the involvement of the Dane County Sheriff’s Office in the removal of tents Wednesday morning. Among the letter’s signatories was District 13 Supervisor Jay Brower, who represents much of the UW campus. UW student and District 5 Supervisor Henry Fries also signed the letter.
The supervisors said they do not approve of the use of Dane County resources or law enforcement to “remove anyone from the current encampment or any other future demonstrations.”
“The utilization of county resources in support of any such action constitutes a failure of our leadership and is an inappropriate use of public monies,” the letter said.
— Reported by Managing Editor Cat Carroll.
1:30 p.m.
Protesters are forming a barricade to prevent potential interruption of demonstrators who are preparing to begin the midday prayer, Dhuhr.
— Reported by Senior Staff Member Abigail Leavins.
1:05 p.m.
A group of about eight UW students arrived holding signs that said “Glory to the resistance” and “Long live Palestine.” The group led call and response chants, including “Stand up. Fight back,” and “Glory to the martyrs.” After the chants, the group led a march around the encampment.
— Reported by Senior Staff Member Abigail Leavins.
12:58 p.m.
A group of about a dozen more high schoolers from Madison West marched into Library Mall chanting “free Palestine.” Protesters cheered at their arrival.
Student Maliha Nu’Man, who is the 2023-24 Madison Youth Poet Laureate, read a poem about white privilege.
— Reported by Senior Staff Member Abigail Leavins.
12:21 p.m.
An organizer announced students from Madison West High School are at Library Mall to join in solidarity.
Six students from the Muslim Student Association at the high school were part of a walkout and stand before the crowd. Organizers said more high schoolers would be joining soon.
— Reported by Senior Staff Member Abigail Leavins.
12:11 p.m.
A teach-in on pinkwashing has begun. The speaker defined pinkwashing as a form of propaganda where false LGBTQ+ activism is used to take attention away from other forms of oppression.
— Reported by Senior Staff Member Abigail Leavins.
11:51 a.m.
One protester, who requested to go by Jules, said they are pleased with the outcome of the organizers’ meeting with Mnookin.
“I’m glad that the chancellor agreed to this next meeting, and I’m so excited today and I feel at ease knowing the chancellor guaranteed no police actions,” Jules said.
Another teach-in is set to take place at noon.
— Reported by Senior Staff Member Abigail Leavins.
11:50 a.m.
An organizer is re-reading the encampment’s community guidelines to protesters.
— Reported by Managing Editor Cat Carroll.
11:42 a.m.
Following the update about the organizers’ meeting with Mnookin, protestors remain on Library Mall with umbrellas as some rain comes down.
— Reported by Senior Staff Member Abigail Leavins.
11:04 a.m.
Protest organizers announced they met with members of UW administration around 8:30 a.m. Thursday — including Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin, Provost Charles Lee Isbell Jr., Vice Provost John Zumbrunnen, Chief Diversity Officer LaVar Charleston and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Lori Reesor. During the meeting, protesters condemned police action on Wednesday and faculty shared firsthand experiences with detainment and injury.
UW administrators agreed to meet with organizers again within 24 hours, and Mnookin guaranteed no police action would take place before then, according to an organizer. Programming in the encampment is set to continue all day, including teach-ins and dancing.
“We stay grounded in this struggle because we know we won’t stop until Palestine is free,” an organizer said.
— Reported by Senior Staff Member Abigail Leavins.
10:54 a.m.
Rain is subsiding as organizers prepare to make 11 a.m. announcement.
— Reported by Senior Staff Member Abigail Leavins.
10:47 a.m.
Thunder and lightning have started and rain has intensified as the 11 a.m. general assembly meeting approaches. Some protesters are moving under canopy tents and inside Memorial Library to avoid the rain.
— Reported by Editor-in-Chief Celia Hiorns.
10:18 a.m.
As rain continues, protest organizers are handing out rain ponchos to demonstrators. A number of protesters are gathered under umbrellas and the canopy tents set up on the Memorial Union side of Library Mall.
— Reported by Editor-in-Chief Celia Hiorns.
10:02 a.m.
Organizers have started their 10 a.m. teach-in with the subject of public speaking. Demonstrators are practicing how to speak and cheer at loud volumes without straining vocal cords.
— Reported by Editor-in-Chief Celia Hiorns.
9:57 a.m.
Encampment demonstrators cheered as a truck with screens on its sides drove up and down Langdon Street displaying pro-Palestinian messages. The truck is now parked on Langdon Street outside Library Mall.
— Reported by Managing Editor Cat Carroll.
9:47 a.m.
Faculty and staff who were rallying on Bascom Hill during Mnookin’s meeting with organizers have returned to Library Mall. Protesters cheered them on as they returned to the site of the encampment.
— Reported by Managing Editor Cat Carroll.
9:34 a.m.
A group of about 24 faculty members stood outside Bascom Hall rallying in support of the student protesters as they met with Mnookin. Student organizers left Bascom Hall and were greeted by the staff members.
Updates from the meeting with Mnookin will be announced at the encampment on Library Mall around 11 a.m., according to a faculty member.
— Reported by ArtsEtc. Associate Editor Emma Kozina.
8:45 a.m.
Mnookin is currently meeting with protest organizers in Bascom Hall. The organizers plan to discuss the demands made Monday, a lead organizer said. Protesters have begun chanting.
— Reported by Managing Editor Cat Carroll.
7:22 a.m.
Protesters are lining up for breakfast at “The People’s Kitchen” where bagels, donuts and coffee are being served.
— Reported by Digital News Editor Brianna Davis.
6:22 a.m.
At the encampment on Library Mall, there are 28 tents. Around ten protesters sit on the grass near the encampment, ahead of SJP’s first event, “Rally & Breakfast” which is set to begin at 7:30 a.m.
— Reported by Digital News Editor Brianna Davis.
