University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee leaders announced that they are talking with students and community members toward "peaceful resolutions" as dozens of demonstrators camp on school grounds.
Student protesters tell TMJ4 they organized the rally and encampment to draw attention to the devastation in Gaza and that they will not leave until the university meets their demands. Tuesday would include a few teach-ins.
"The people who are camping here are primarily students, Palestinian students, Jewish students every student that feels that they need to do something," student organizer Samia Saeed said.
After a private meeting with some elected officials the university leadership issued a statement saying though they understand the encampment is unsettling for many, it has not disrupted classes or programs. Additionally, UWM Police would remain present.
Several student organizations are behind the demonstration joining a national movement. The group is collectively calling on UWM to make a public statement condemning Israel's actions. Additionally, they want the school and its foundation to disclose financial records and divest from any companies that are pro-Israel.
The university released a statement Monday reiterating that the UWM Foundation is a separate legal entity from the university and that UWM has no control over the mutual fund investments made by the foundation.
The school maintains the foundation "cannot divest from individual companies" within those funds.
It also noted that UWM has no investments in weapons manufacturers.
Saeed says they have not heard back from university leadership directly since communicating their demands with a dean.
"We are hopeful," said Samia Saeed. "We're feeding off of the strength and resilience and hope that the Palestinian students have or just trying to be as hopeful as they are. We are obviously hopeful. Otherwise, we wouldn't be camping out here."
Hillel Milwaukee, which is located just across the street from the demonstration, released a statement late Monday asking members of the Jewish community to stay away from the protests.
Since the encampment violates state code, Hillel Milwaukee also called on UWM to enforce its policies and "restore a sense of belonging and safety among Jewish students on campus."
Saeed says the groups are making sure that the encampment is a safe place for all, and they were not involved in the incident referenced in Hillel Milwaukee's response.
"I think it's very important not to have any sort of antisemitism or Islamophobia or any sort of discrimination happened in the spaces which is why we're very actively collaborating with Jewish Voices for Peace," Saeed added.
"As you can see, there's no mention of Hamas here or anywhere at any student encampment. We're here to spread peace. We're here to be united," said Zaid Dahir, a UWM student organizer.
Read the latest statement from UW-Milwaukee:
"UWM’s first priority is the safety and well-being of our students, employees and visitors. UWM Police will continue to monitor the encampment on the lawn south of Mitchell Hall. Members of the UWM administration are having conversations with students and community members in the background and are working on peaceful resolutions. Though we understand the encampment is unsettling for many in our community, the encampment has not disrupted any events, classes or programs on campus. UWM Police will remain present at the encampment but cannot publicly disclose law enforcement procedures."
It’s about time to watch on your time. Stream local news and weather 24/7 by searching for “TMJ4” on your device.
Available for download on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and more.
