‘Constitutionally protected rights’: UC Merced navigates pro-Palestine encampment
MERCED, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A pro-Palestine encampment has been in place at UC Merced since Sunday. The encampment has been blocked off to the public.
“I think people’s passions come out at any time of the year that they feel them,” Associate Vice Chancellor of UC Merced’s External Relations James Chiavelli said.
The protest group, UC Merced Gaza Solidarity Encampment led by Students for Justice in Palestine has been posted at UC Merced’s campus since May 12.
UC Merced encampment: What are their demands?
“There’s a robust security plan, we’re obviously not going to talk about details but so far, it’s been a small encampment and the folks in our campus have been very peaceful, polite, they’ve engaged several times a day and, you know, we continue to have discussions,” Chiavelli said.
This took place while the UC Board of Regents will be in a series of meetings until May 16. May 14’s meeting involved the investments committee and special committee on athletics, wrapping up around three in the afternoon. During public comment, at least one person called on UC schools to “end funding to Israel.”
Chiavelli re-emphasized the University’s stance.
“We are committed to upholding the rights of freedom of speech and assembly for everyone in our community and we are trying our best to balance that against the rights and responsibilities of other folks in our community,” Chiavelli said.
UC Merced released a statement earlier today in regard to the encampment, “UC Merced is committed to ensuring that all persons can exercise the constitutionally protected rights of free expression and assembly. The university also has an obligation to balance these considerations with the responsibilities and rights of all members of the university community.”
This is the first time that the university is hosting a UC Board of Regents meeting.
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