The encampment demonstration on Library Mall remained for its fifth consecutive night. The number of tents exceeds 35, more than were standing when law enforcement removed tents Wednesday morning.
University of Wisconsin administrators invited protest negotiators to meet Saturday at noon for what would be the third meeting between the two groups. The administrators asked negotiators to notify them whether they intend to attend the meeting by 9 a.m.
Throughout the day Friday, the demonstration remained peaceful, with protesters continuing to emphasize community. As the day went on, the number of protesters on the Library Mall lawn continued to grow.
This is a developing story. See live updates below.
5:11 p.m.
Protesters remain peacefully on Library Mall ahead of a presentation from guest speaker Osama Abdl-Haleem. There are movie screenings scheduled for this evening. The Badger Herald will continue reporting on the encampment demonstration 9 a.m. Sunday.
— Reported by Managing Editor Cat Carroll.
4:43 p.m.
Nearly 50 tents are pitched on Library Mall.
— Reported by Managing Editor Cat Carroll.
4:25 p.m.
SJP UW–Madison member Dahlia Saba, who was not present at this afternoon’s meeting, said she was glad to see UW administrators be willing to discuss specifics of the demands made Monday. Saba made clear the demonstration will continue until UW makes a commitment to no longer being complicit in the war in Gaza.
“I’m not willing to take a win until we see it [a commitment from UW] on paper,” Saba said.
— Reported by Managing Editor Cat Carroll.
4:08 p.m.
Student negotiators met this afternoon with Provost Charles Isbell, Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs John Zumbrunnen and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Lori Reesor. Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin was not present at the meeting. Negotiations are set to continue, and administrators guaranteed no police action would be taken while they remain underway.
One organizer said the administrators acknowledged the presence of counter-protesters over the past few days, and commended the organizers’ de-escalation of such situations. The disclosure of UW Foundation’s investments remains a topic of discussion for future negotiations.
The organizer also said there was discussion about the demand to remove police presence from campus, but the UW administrators said they were not prepared to answer this question. The organizer emphasized this is not a new demand, and said it has been advocated for by students of color since before 2020.
— Reported by Managing Editor Cat Carroll.
12:05 p.m.
Two counter-protesters have arrived on the Wisconsin Historical Society side of the encampment. One has a sign and the other is holding an Israeli flag and blowing what appears to be a Shofar horn.
— Reported by Managing Editor Sophia Scolman.
11:55 a.m.
There are pro-Palestine chalkings seen near the Wisconsin State Capitol, while the Dane County Farmers’ Market is taking place on Capitol Square.
— Reported by News Associate Editor Anna Kristoff.
11:31 a.m.
A speaker from the UW Undergraduate Disability Society held a teach-in about disability justice and how it relates to Palestinian liberation for an audience of around 30 listeners.
Another speaker, who was not affiliated with the UW Undergraduate Disability Society, said reduced access to medical services and accessible spaces is negatively affecting Palestine’s disabled community.
The speakers detailed accessibility efforts made by encampment organizers, such as providing food and sunscreen to protesters.
“Disability justice cannot be achieved without Palestinians,” the first speaker said.
— Reported by Managing Editor Sophia Scolman.
11:19 a.m.
A spokesperson from SJP said student protest leaders would be meeting with UW administration at 12:30 p.m. The spokesperson said they expect to announce an update around 4 p.m. but are unsure of how long the meeting will last.
A teach-in about disability justice in Palestine will begin in 15 minutes.
— Reported by Editor-in-Chief Celia Hiorns.
10:48 a.m.
Though tent numbers are at an all time high, there are noticeably fewer protesters gathered on the lawn at Library Mall than on previous days. Students for Justice in Palestine UW–Madison are scheduled to make announcements at the 11:00 a.m. general meeting.
— Reported by Managing Editor Sophia Scolman.
5:40 a.m.
More than 40 tents are pitched on Library Mall. Some demonstrators without tents are sleeping on the ground under blankets or in sleeping bags.
— Reported by Managing Editor Sophia Scolman.
