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The protest has attracted non-students, and some students fear it could escalate into violence.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Community members and Sacramento State University students continued their on-campus protest for a second day, Tuesday. They continue to occupy the library quad as they call for justice in Palestine.
“I am an Arab Muslim, so when I see the people in Gaza, it’s like I’m seeing my family,” said Hamzah, a Sacramento State senior.
University administration says they notified a student representative of the group they’ll allow demonstrators to stay until midnight May 1. The university will then reassess everything if the camp remains.
Tuesday night, the university said they extended their approval for the camp. They plan to approve the extension as long as things stay peaceful and within the University’s .
Protestors say they plan to stay until their demands are met.
The group, Students for Justice in Palestine, is calling on the California State University Board of Trustees and the CSU Chancellor to divest from Israel, disclose institutional investments and grant amnesty for protesting students.
Their protest encampment is catching the attention of more students and passersby.
“We’ve been seeing it a lot at other campuses, so it’s cool that we joined in and, as long as it stays non-violent, I think it’s cool,” said student Muhammad Tayyab.
“I like how it’s peaceful. It’s spreading awareness about what’s going on overseas,” added Mikey Maurantonio, a senior at Sacramento State.
The demonstration is also drawing concern from some Jewish and Israeli students at Sacramento State, including third-year Ilai Sirak.
“Me and a lot of other Jewish and Israeli students have been seeing these encampments pop up across the United States. Seeing it come here has definitely made some of us worried, some of us even fearful, because we’ve seen how these protests have evolved in other college campuses,” he said.
The demonstration also drew other community members to campus, including some non-students who are participating in the encampment and others who debated with protesters outside of it.
“People who disagree with us, we can still have respectful conversations,” Hamzah said.
“Voices need to be heard. Honestly, in my opinion, there are better ways to do it,” said Sacramento State student Wadon Bassia. “I feel like this could lead to some arguments. I just feel like it’s going to lead to things we don’t want on this campus.”
ABC10 saw some graffiti on campus, but organizers say the taggers are not associated with their group.
“On Monday night, campus police were contacted by encampment participants after they caught non-encampment students vandalizing University property. Police cited and released three students for vandalism. The damage was minor,” the university said in a statement Tuesday night.
In a statement to ABC10, the CSU administration said, in part, “…California State University does not intend to alter existing investment policies related to Israel or the Israel-Hamas conflict.”
ABC10 also asked CSU if the protest could impact commencement or classes. They said, “regarding commencement and classes, those decisions are made at the campus level.”
Sacramento State says campus is open and classes are still in session.
A full statement from Sacramento State is available below.
We continue to remain in regular contact with the students and community members who have formed an encampment in the Library Quad in support of Palestine, and communication has been open and transparent.
The University has extended its approval for the encampment, which originally had a deadline of midnight on Wednesday, May 1, and the approval is planned to be extended as long as the encampment stays peaceful and within the University’s Time, Place & Manner Restrictions on Speech and Speech-Related Activities policy.
On Monday night, campus police were contacted by encampment participants after they caught non-encampment students vandalizing University property. Police cited and released three students for vandalism. The damage was minor.
The campus remains open and classes are in session. Timely updates will be provided at csus.edu/alert.
The full statement from CSU on the protest is below:
“The California State University values freedom of expression as a cornerstone of a democratic society and believes it is essential to the educational process. We support the rights of students and others to assemble peacefully, to protest, and to have their voices heard. At the same time, the exercising of freedom of expression and assembly must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and CSU policy to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors on CSU campuses.”
Additionally, a statement from CSU on divestment is below:
“In light of its fiduciary responsibilities and existing policies governing the assessment of environmental, social, and governance risks, the California State University does not intend to alter existing investment policies related to Israel or the Israel-Hamas conflict. Because of state law and CSU’s investment policies restrictions, the CSU does not invest in direct stocks or equities in any companies. The system does invest in mutual funds, bonds, and other instruments. Through careful management of the university funds, CSU investments provide a stable revenue stream that benefits our students and faculty, and supports our critical campus facilities, scholarships, and other key elements of our educational mission. While the CSU affirms the right of our community members to express diverse viewpoints, a divestment of this sort impinges on the academic freedom of our students and faculty and the unfettered exchange of ideas on our campuses.”
Demonstrators gather at Sacramento State in Gaza war protest
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