UW-Milwaukee students protest situation in Gaza, set up tents

MILWAUKEE - Protesters set up tents at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee on Monday, April 29 to protest the situation in Gaza. The university warned that those break state regulations.

Dozens of tents were set up by protesters – and then those protesters roped off the area. 

A university spokeswoman said police are monitoring the encampment. She said it breaks Wisconsin's administrative code. 

Earlier, the protesters marched from the Golda Meir Library. That is named after Israel's first woman prime minister. She graduated from the teacher's college that later became UWM. 

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The group then marched on the streets around the block to the encampment. Protesters have several demands. They say the school should condemn Israel for deaths in Gaza. 

"We understand the risk," student Samia Saed said. "All of us here understand the risk of getting arrested, of getting hurt."

Saed is with the university’s For Palestine Coalition. For her, the reward is having the group’s demands heard.

"We want UWM to cut ties with Israel. We want UWM to disclose any financial information that they have regarding their ties to Israel," Saed said.

FOX6 News spotted dozens of police cruisers on scene Monday afternoon and evening, from various agencies.

"Free Palestine it’s honestly the liberation of my family, myself and my people," said student Zaid Dahir. "We want our university to release a statement calling to the end of the genocide taking place in Gaza right now. We want a ceasefire [...] I plan to be here until our demands are met."

The Gaza health Ministry reports 34,000 Palestinian deaths – while Israel reports Hamas' October raid into Israel killed 1,200 people. 

"I am a student here, and I lose sleep. I cannot sleep, I cannot study. I cannot focus, nor can hundreds of Palestinians, Muslims and even people who are sympathetic to the cause. We cannot live and function normally with these circumstances," said Ameen Atta of the Muslim Student Association.

In March, school leaders said two students vandalized the campus library – throwing something through the first-floor window and spray painting "Free Palestine."

FOX6 News did not find any counterprotesters.

UWM has a Jewish Student Center – and the deputy director there said she did not know of any students who wanted to talk. She said these are challenging times for students. 

School leaders say two people vandalized the campus library, throwing something through the first-floor window, and spray-painting "Free Palestine" in graffiti on the west side of the building.

The month before that, five students were arrested following another on-campus protest.

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University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee statement on free speech and campus protests

"We have all witnessed a growing number of UWM students, employees and community members gather to make their voices heard. The vast majority of protests on UWM’s campus during the last several months have been peaceful and lawful, and UWM is steadfast in respecting the right to free speech. At the same time, it is critical that we maintain a safe and welcoming environment for our students, employees and visitors.

Today, students and community members gathered again on campus to protest. Unlike prior protests, an encampment was set up. Camping on campus grounds is unlawful and violates Chapter 18 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code: UWS 18.07(4). This expansion of protest activity conflicts with guidance UWM shared in a message with students, faculty and staff Monday morning.

UWM also received a series of demands from protesters. While many of these concerns have been addressed in meetings between UWM administrators and students and in some prior communications, we want to share this information with our broader campus community.

First, UWM has expressed in campus messages and meetings with students that we share in the heartbreak felt by our community and many around the world. We reiterate our call for an end to the violence by joining the White House and international leaders in calling for a release of the hostages and a ceasefire. We say this knowing that, as a public university, we have no direct ability to impact the outcomes of the war in Gaza. We also know that many of our Jewish, Palestinian, Muslim and Arab American community members are suffering as they watch loved ones directly and indirectly harmed by this war.

We want to reiterate that UWM has no investments in weapons manufacturers. Unlike some private institutions that have investments, UWM is funded with a combination of state funding, tuition, program revenue and grants. The UWM Foundation is a separate legal entity from UWM, and UWM cannot control the foundation’s investments. Regardless, those investments are through mutual funds. The foundation cannot disinvest from individual companies within those funds.

UWM has also been called to suspend any academic relationship with institutions or entities in Israel. While UWM does not have any active study abroad programs with universities in Israel, prohibiting faculty from engaging with any institution or country would infringe on their academic freedom. Although we understand the protesters’ desire for the safety and peace of all those in Gaza, stifling academic freedom or free speech would not accomplish that goal.

We ask again that people respect each other’s diverse viewpoints as well as the laws so that we can all feel safe and welcome here."

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee letter to campus community

"We know there may be many stressful things on your mind as we approach the end of the academic year, and that they go well beyond academics. There is much pain, suffering and raw emotions that are tied to events happening here and abroad. Tragedy half a world away is resonating in real time with our students and employees and on college campuses nationwide. The heartbreaking war in Gaza is felt by so many, particularly our Jewish, Palestinian, Muslim and Arab American colleagues, friends and family. We echo calls for an end to the violence.   

"UWM’s legacy is deeply rooted in the free discussion, debate and research of ideas. Recently, we’ve been reminded of just how passionate and emotional these exchanges can be. 

"For the last few months, students have come together in groups small and large to grieve with and support one another. They’ve organized educational programs, met with campus leadership, and gathered on campus to make their voices heard. That speech is guaranteed by the First Amendment and, as a public institution, we have an obligation to uphold it. We are equally committed to ensuring the health, safety and welfare of our campus community and to making sure that people or groups exercising their right to speech don’t interfere with the free expression rights of others.   

"We are encouraged that most protests and protesters have been peaceful and lawful. When people choose to protest on campus, we want to ensure that they know how to protest safely and lawfully. Chapter 18 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code defines campus protest guidelines and policies prohibiting camping on university property, occupying buildings, and disrupting university events, classes, exams or programming.   

"We are committed to maintaining a safe, inclusive and welcoming campus while supporting free expression. Please continue to let your voices be heard while remembering the many diverse voices who call this campus and community home."