Brown University heads to sixth day of protests as university warns of consequences
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Brown University encampment protests are heading into their sixth day and possibly final day, as the university announced greater consequences for protesters moving forward.
A letter was sent from Brown University leadership to encampment protesters over the weekend, saying they have until 5 p.m. today to either admit to violating university conduct, or face an administrative review meeting and waive the right to an appeal.
According to university staff, protesters were instructed to leave the encampment on April 24, the day the protest began.
The university said students that “accept responsibility” will face probation, activity restrictions, and must disaffiliate from the encampment.
Students that don’t are set to face greater punishments up to possible suspensions, seniors could see their degrees get delayed, and possibly even expulsion.
In a statement to ABC6, Brown Divest Coalition Representative said:
“Everyone keeps asking, don’t you feel guilty that you are missing classes? That is why you are here. I can’t go to those classes and feel safe. Myinstitution has arrested 41 of my fellow peers for peacefully protesting.”
Protesters are asking for the university to divest from groups related to Israel, and to drop the charges against 41 students who were arrested during a sit in protest at the end of last year. While other protests have seen violence between protesters and police, Brown University’s encampment has remained calm since Wednesday.
Of course, Brown is far from the only campus where there protests are taking place.
Pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli demonstrators clashed on the UCLA campus in Los Angeles, California yesterday. A university spokesperson says demonstrators knocked over a barrier used to separate the two groups. So far there’s no word on whether anyone was hurt during the disturbance.
In a statement, the university said:
“UCLA has a long history of being a place of peaceful protest…and we are heartbroken about the violence that broke out.”
The University of Southern California said protesters taking part in encampment demonstrations damaged property over the weekend. Administrators say demonstrators vandalized the Tommy Trojan statue and a fountain in Alumni Park Saturday. They also reported that President Carol Folt had made attempts to meet with students but they have declined. Officials at USC have canceled their main stage graduation due to safety measures.
Presidential candidate Jill Stein was arrested at a pro-Palestinian rally late Saturday while she was at Washington University in St. Louis. Stein’s campaign manager and deputy campaign manager were also arrested. Students at Washington university are demanding the school cut ties with Boeing, which has a long-standing relationship with Israel.
Stein says she supports the students and their recent encampment.
Meanwhile, back in the Northeast, Emerson College’s President Jay Bernhardt sent a statement to community members after 118 protesters were arrested in an alley outside the school last week.
He said Emerson won’t discipline the students and plans to encourage the Suffolk District Attorney to not pursue any charges. The college also plans to offer housing to any students who have to stay in Boston after the semester ends for court appearances. There’s no word from Brown on whether arrests might be made if the protest continues past their 5 p.m. deadline today.
