Tent erected after university restricts area and bans 'unauthorized construction'
Pro-Palestinian students set up an anti-Israel encampment in Harvard Yard on Wednesday, despite the university announcing restrictions on the area throughout the week.
At one point, as many as 500 people took part in the protest, demanding a “withdrawal” from Israel and urging the university to reverse its decision to suspend the Palestine Undergraduate Solidarity Committee. harvard crimson report. A number of similar protests took place on campuses across the country last week.
“We ask you to share our anger as a starting point for sustained and sustained mobilization,” one organizer told the crowd. “Now more than ever, we have an obligation to speak louder than ever when Harvard demands our silence. A free and free Palestine.”
Afterwards, students began setting up tents and sleeping bags on the lawn, despite a sign warning that disciplinary action would be taken “if unauthorized structures, such as tents or tables, are brought in or block entrances to the building.” Crimson.
A video posted to the Palestine Undergraduate Solidarity Committee's Instagram account shows students cheering loudly and drumming while others hurriedly set up tents and laid out sleeping bags on the lawn.
This is Harvard University, America's leading higher education institution. pic.twitter.com/9qVN0ZHiY7
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) April 24, 2024
According to Crimson:
In an interview Monday, interim Harvard President Alan M. Garber did not rule out using police in response to student protests, but said there would be a “very high bar” before intervening. University officials have maintained a firm stance against calls for a boycott of Israel.
The tent was set up under the watchful eye of Harvard University Police Department officials, but they have not yet intervened.
“They are smuggling,” one protester told the student newspaper.[ed]” The equipment was brought to Harvard Yard and stored overnight in the freshman dorms.
Harvard Out of Occupied Palestine, a coalition of students “fighting for an abolition and a free Palestine,” described the encampment as a “liberation zone for Gaza” in an Instagram post.
“The Coalition will not stop until we achieve disclosure and sale,” the post says.
Crimson The report continues:
According to PSC organizers at the encampment, pro-Palestinian protesters are divided into four risk levels, with some on the “red team” willing to be arrested.
Another group, the 'Pink Team', is expected to receive disciplinary action from the Harvard University Administrative Committee, the organizer said. The “Yellow Team” is responsible for virtually coordinating with protesters and providing supplies, while the “Green Team” is volunteers who face little or no risk of arrest or university disciplinary action.
The ‘Daily Events Calendar’ for ‘Harvard Liberation Zone’ on the PSC Instagram account lists ‘Artwork for Tent Decoration’ and ‘Mental Health Breaks’.
Earlier this week, the university closed Harvard Yard and installed signs and security measures around the main entrance. boston globe report. All but five doors were closed, and security guards stationed at open doors allowed entry only to people with Harvard identification cards, the report said.
“We moved on to: [Harvard University ID] Access is provided only to forestall potential problems from groups not recognized by Harvard,” the university said. globe From the statement.
Similar protests occurred at other universities, leading to stricter measures.
Earlier this week, Columbia University announced that classes would be canceled for the remainder of the semester due to violent anti-Israel protests.
Police in riot gear also arrested Yale University students after a Jewish student journalist reported being stabbed in the eye. college fix It has been reported.
More: Police in riot gear arrest NYU students and faculty who refuse to leave anti-Israel camp.
Image: Harvard University Palestine Solidarity Committee/Instagram
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