University of Minnesota's interim president to meet with Pro-Palestinian protesters
MINNEAPOLIS — University of Minnesota students calling for a cease-fire in Gaza are in the midst of the seventh day of demonstrations on Minneapolis' East Bank campus after many camped out overnight Tuesday, marking the first time police haven't cleared them out since protests started a week ago.
A meeting will be held on Wednesday morning between four student groups and university interim president Jeff Ettinger.
The students will push for Ettinger to call for a cease-fire and cut ties with companies like Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, Boeing and Honeywell, who they say are bolstering Israel.
Late Monday night, protesters chanted and formed a human chain around their encampment outside the student union. Police issued an order to disperse, but the protesters never did.
"We've received information that MPD has no interest in dispersing our encampment, and the university is trying to pressure them to come and disperse us," protest organizer Fae told WCCO. "So we see this as a huge win because we're putting huge pressure on the university."
A university spokesperson told WCCO on Tuesday that while encampments aren't allowed, police "decided the best approach was not to engage further at that time."
Students pledge to keep demonstrations peaceful
Students whom WCCO spoke with on Tuesday say they are trying to distance themselves from the violence taking place on other U.S. campuses.
"This is a peaceful protest," said junior Ali Abu. "That's the main thing we're trying to send out. We're not here to attack anyone. We're not here to cause any violence. The university response to that is unprecedented."
"I believe it's easy for demonstrations like these to be misconstrued and turned into something that appears to be hateful, or violent, or just not peaceful, but it is," said junior Andy Sanchez.
13 campus buildings remain closed
The school shut down 13 buildings on Monday around the Northrup Mall to prepare for this latest round of pro-Palestinian protests, and they will remain closed on Tuesday, including Walter Library. UCards are necessary to access other buildings on campus.
The closures coincide with two designated study days on campus ahead of final exams that begin on Thursday.
"The escalated police response, and especially today, UMN locking down half of East Bank has really aggravated students to come out," protester organizer Emily told WCCO on Monday. "Because first of all, they canceled classes in these buildings, so where are you going to go if not to the massive protest that's happening in front of Coffman [Union] right now?"
Tuesday evening, the Teamsters Local 320 and UMN Graduate Labor Union - United Electrical called on the university to reopen Coffman Memorial Union, academic workplaces and all other buildings on the Northrop Mall that have been closed due to protests.
They say the closures have caused dozens of dining employees to go without pay and many custodians are being forced to use their vacation time.
"The decision to close buildings has been an overreaction on the part of administration. The encampment and protests have not posed a threat to university students or employees who work, learn and teach in these buildings," a spokesperson for the union said.
The union is asking buildings to be reopened under the typical "reduced operations" protocol.
U aims to hold commencement ceremonies
Some universities, including the University of Southern California, have canceled commencement ceremonies due to protest-related safety concerns.
A University of Minnesota spokesperson told WCCO on Tuesday that ceremonies will still be held despite the threat of ongoing demonstrations.
"Commencement events are milestone celebrations in the lifelong journeys of the graduating students and their families. While the University supports free speech, ensuring these students can be properly celebrated for their achievements and that they and their families have a safe and accessible experience is our top priority," the spokesperson said. "We have experience managing through event disruptions and protests and have plans in place should these situations arise."
Rabbis urge U leaders to de-escalate, condemn anti-Zionist rhetoric
The demonstrations at the U have been unnerving for many Jewish students who fear the rhetoric used by protesters could lead to violence. Emily told WCCO the protesters "aim to create a safe environment for all people here."
"So we have prayer time for Muslims every day, we have invited Jewish Voices for Peace and they have come to hold Jewish religious events coinciding with Passover here," Emily said. "And we aim to create an inviting and safe environment for all."
WCCO spoke last week with Steve Hunegs, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas.
"We're concerned for the safety of Jewish students, we're concerned for the safety of all students," Hunegs said. "The university should be a place for peaceful, respectful dialogue. People can disagree but should not intimidate and harass."
On Sunday, 26 rabbis who are members of the Minnesota Rabbinical Association signed a letter sent to university leaders, calling on them to do more to restore "a sense of safety" for all students on campus, and to condemn anti-Zionist chants they say have been made during the demonstrations.
"We urge you to continue to differentiate between peaceful protest and the directed hatred we have seen this week and to help lower the temperature on campus through compassionate strategies of de-escalation," the association wrote.
Demonstrations at other Minnesota colleges
Eight students and a facility member were arrested last week during the first day of demonstrations at the U, which is just one of many schools in and around the Twin Cities metro where students have held pro-Palestinian protests. Hamline students held their latest protest over the weekend. St. Olaf students had another rally on Tuesday. Macalester College students have held protests since February. On Tuesday, they'll hold an art build for Palestinians.
Similar protests have spread across college campuses over the past few weeks, resulting in more than 1,100 arrests.
Overnight, protesters occupied Columbia University's Hamilton Hall, the same building demonstrators took over during anti-Vietnam War protests in 1968.
Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu compared the campus protests to rallies in Nazi Germany.
The Hamas-run Health Ministry says more than 34,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in the aftermath of Hamas' attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Israel said about 1,400 people were killed by Hamas in the first month of the conflict.
Last week, President Joe Biden signed an aid package that provided an additional $26.4 billion in funding to Israel.
