SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Demonstrators gathered Monday at Sacramento State with pro-Palestinian signs in a protest over the Israel-Hamas war.
An encampment is set up at the library quad area on Sacramento State's campus.
This comes amid several protests happening at college campuses across the U.S., many of which are organized by coalitions of student groups.
Students for Justice in Palestine at Sacramento State sent a letter to the administration and leaders at Sacramento State.
"To our administration at CSU Sacramento, we acknowledge the steps you have taken
for Palestinian voices, but in our view, you have not truly joined the fight unless you have
spoken up," Students for Justice in Palestine said in a statement.
The group is calling for the university to separate itself from any companies advancing Israel’s military efforts in Gaza. Students for Justice in Palestine also called for students at all 23 California State University campuses to protest.
Sacramento State's last day of instruction is May 10 with finals week running from May 13-17. Graduation is scheduled for May 17-19. Other college campuses have canceled graduation and are planning other celebrations amid the protests.
ABC10 has reached out to Sacramento State for comment. They sent the following statement:
"Sacramento State is committed to the exercise of free speech and maintaining safer spaces and conditions for those exercising their constitutional rights. We are equally committed to the safety and dignity of every member of our campus community.
This morning, a group of students and community members created an encampment in the Library Quad as part of a free speech demonstration. During this demonstration, the University is focused on ensuring that campus remains safe and instruction and critical operations can continue, adhering to the University’s Time Place and Manner policy that governs on-campus speech and speech-related activities.
Campus remains open and operational."
Cal Poly Humboldt
University officials extended the campus closing until May 10 — the end of the semester — saying instruction would continue to be remote, after protesters at the university in Northern California used furniture, tents, chains and zip ties to block entrances to an academic and administrative building Monday. Commencement is scheduled for May 11.
The university released a statement Friday responding to questions from those occupying the buildings. The statement said there will be consequences for actions violating policy or law, but officials would take into account actions by any students who choose to evacuate the occupied buildings and support efforts to clear them. It did not say the charges faced by those arrested would be dropped.
The administration also offered protesters a 5 p.m. deadline to leave and “not be immediately arrested.” But the deadline passed and the university did not immediately respond to a message seeking an update or provide information on what they planned to do next.
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California canceled its main stage graduation ceremony set for May 10 after its campus was roiled by protests. The university already canceled a commencement speech by the school’s pro-Palestinian valedictorian, citing safety concerns. The Los Angeles Police Department said more than 90 people were arrested Wednesday night on charges of trespassing during a protest at the university. One person was arrested on a charge of assault with a deadly weapon. There were no reports of injuries. The university said Wednesday it had closed campus and police would arrest people who did not leave. Friday was the last day of classes.
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