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“Gaza Solidarity Encampment” weekend update: On Thursday morning, a sit-in was set up in McCosh Courtyard, joining a wave of pro-Palestinian sit-ins on college campuses across the country. Within minutes, two arrests of graduate students were made after they attempted to erect tents on the courtyard. This followed a Wednesday morning email from Vice President for Campus Life W. Rochelle Calhoun which warned undergraduates that anyone participating in an encampment would be arrested and barred from campus. Now, the sit-in has reached its fifth day, with no more arrests having been made since Thursday morning.
Over this weekend, participants have been reminded of the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students’ (ODUS) “Forms of Expression” policy, which states that “sleeping in outdoor space of any kind is prohibited” and individuals may not “use amplified sound without the permission of ODUS.” There have also been a number of counterprotesters who, waving American and Israeli flags, approached the sit-in and attempted to record chants. Various faculty members have given lectures to the crowd, including Professor Ruha Benjamin who led a seminar about her research on racial technologies. The Graduate Student Government (GSG) and the father of Hassan Sayed GS, who was arrested on Thursday, have both spoken on the arrests of graduate students.
A special Undergraduate Student Government (USG) meeting called on Saturday evening was closed to the public after a decision to make a statement regarding the sit-in was made. A second meeting called yesterday confirmed that USG are set to issue a statement “concerning the freedom of expression and protest,” according to drafts sent to the ‘Prince.’
The fourth day of the encampment saw Lawnparties continue as scheduled after Princeton Israel Apartheid Divest (PIAD) called for the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) to cancel the events and an email sent to residential college student listservs asked students to individually boycott the festivities. The headline performer, Lil Tecca, was not disrupted by the protests.
Yesterday also saw three graduate student representatives on a Council of the Princeton University Community (CPUC) committee resign over the University’s response to the sit-in and the graduate student arrests. The representatives, who serve on the CPUC Ad Hoc Committee on Sexual Climate, Culture, and Conduct, announced their resignations in a 10:10 p.m. email to members of the committee, which includes several top University administrators, such as President Christopher Eisgruber ’83.
Follow along for the live updates of day five on our website.
Days one, two, three, and four can be accessed at these links.
Tecca takes the town at spring Lawnparties: Yesterday, the first sunny Princeton Lawnparties in two years took place, with Lil Tecca headlining the event. The theme, “Tropic Like It’s Hot,” saw some students wearing bucket hats, pool floaties, and bright colors. The wristbanding location was moved to the backyard of Campus Club, instead of the usual McCosh Courtyard, where the ongoing “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” has continued. Lawnparties activities included parties hosted by various eating clubs and a student opening by Weatherboy on the main stage. The Undergraduate Student Government (USG) Social Committee also hosted a Foam Party at Campus Club and snacks and food trucks were available along Prospect Avenue. Students seemed to enjoy the events, with jumping, singing, and cheering accompanying Lil Tecca’s performance.
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