Harvard Protestors End Encampment
Anti-Israeli, Pro-Hamas disruptors dismantled their ‘encampment’ in Harvard Yard on Tuesday after university officials capitulated, and agreed to address their concerns about the institution’s endowment. This move brought a resolution to demonstrations that had been forcibly broken up at other campuses.
The protest group Harvard Out of Occupied Palestine announced that the encampment “outlasted its utility with respect to our demands.” Interim President Alan Garber agreed to facilitate a meeting between protesters and university officials to discuss the students’ demands.
Similar encampments emerged on many college campuses, with students demanding their schools cut ties with Israel and businesses supporting it. Israel is criticised for responding to a Hamas terroist attack, on October 7 when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the kidnapping of 250 more.
The Harvard protesters reached an agreement to meet with university officials, including representatives from the Harvard Management Company, which oversees the world’s largest academic endowment, valued at about $50 billion. The protesters plan to discuss disclosure, divestment, reinvestment, and the creation of a Center for Palestine Studies. Harvard has further capitulated and agreed to retract the suspensions of over 20 students and student workers and to reconsider disciplinary actions against 60 more.
A spokesperson for the protesters stated that the encampment had significantly advanced Palestine solidarity organizing on campus and moved the university closer to greater transparency and potential divestment.
Harvard alumnus Rotem Spiegler criticised the decision to negotiate with the protesters, suggesting it rewarded disruptive behaviour.
At UC Berkeley, students began dismantling their encampment after Chancellor Carol Christ expressed support for a thorough review of the university’s investments and socially responsible investment strategy. At Williams College in Massachusetts, protesters agreed to take down their tents following a commitment from the board of trustees to meet later this month.
University of New Mexico President Garnett Stokes instructed protesters to dismantle their encampment by Tuesday evening, warning of institutional enforcement for non-compliance. The university acknowledged the protesters’ demands for a ceasefire and investment transparency.
In western New York, the University of Rochester cleared out an encampment ahead of Friday’s commencement ceremony. Most protesters dispersed voluntarily, though two individuals were arrested for damaging a commencement tent.
Harvard senior researcher Howard Smith welcomed the end of the encampment, criticising the protesters’ stance as historically and morally misguided.
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