AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) – UMass Amherst celebrated the inauguration of its new chancellor on Friday while student activists protested in support of Palestine.
This is all in response to Chancellor Javier Reyes being officially sworn in as the school’s 31st leader. Featured speakers at the event include Governor Maura Healey and Congressman Jim McGovern. While that was taking place inside the Mullins Center, student activists gathered in protest calling for the de-militarization of UMass.
Governor Healey to attend the inauguration of Chancellor Javier Reyes at UMass Amherst Governor Healey told 22News that she respects people’s right to demonstrate and protest, adding there’s no place for hate.
Protesters could be seen making their way inside the ceremony as well. Several UMass staff members were pictured wearing what appeared to be the number 57, echoing the chants outside, demanding reduced disciplinary action against the 57 people who were arrested at a demonstration on campus in October.
Since Reyes took office last summer these student groups have called on him to reverse the university’s corporate partnership with defense manufacturer Raytheon. That partnership is one of many maintained by the school and has been in place for decades. Raytheon recruits directly from UMass for employees and funds research opportunities on campus.
This is one of several protests held on campus since the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel and Israel’s military assault response on Gaza. Last month, hundreds of students, faculty, staff, and community members staged a walkout on campus calling for the end of UMass’ partnership with Raytheon and other so-called “war profiteering” organizations.
UMass student, Mari McBride shared with 22News, “I feel very strongly that my tuition dollars should not be going towards funding war across the sea.”
They were also demanding reduced disciplinary action against 57 people who were arrested at a pro-Palestinian demonstration on campus in October.
Just this week more than 100 people were arrested at Emerson College in Boston when police broke up a large pro-Palestinian encampment. Thursday night, USC announced it would cancel its main commencement ceremony over security fears related to demonstrations, and students at Columbia were given a deadline of 4 a.m. to end their now 10-day encampment protest of the war.
Our University must be a place where challenging ideas are explored. That while we may not always agree, the power of persuasion lies in not being the loudest, and most disruptive, but making the strongest case through civil dialogue grounded in facts, logic, and reason.
Javier Reyes, Chancellor, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Palestine Legal files lawsuit against UMass Amherst alleging civil rights violation As for this protest, a spokesperson for UMass Amherst told 22News that all major university events include a security component, and they have appropriate plans in place to keep everyone safe.
“UMass Amherst stands firmly by the rights of its students, staff, and faculty to exercise their right to free speech under the university’s founding values and the protections provided to them under the First Amendment.
As shared with demonstrators during today’s ceremony, free speech rights do not extend to disruptive behavior that conflicts with the rights of others in attendance to take part in the program, whether as speakers or guests. The demonstrators were asked to leave and did so peacefully.”
UMass Amherst spokesperson Ed Blaguszewski
UMass is also currently being investigated for alleged Civil rights violations, related to anti-Palestinian harassment.
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Taylor Knight is a morning anchor and I-Team reporter who has been a part of the 22News team since 2018. Follow Taylor on X @TaylorKNews and view her bio to see more of her work.
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