Tensions rise on day 4 of UC San Diego protests

SAN DIEGO ( FOX 5/KUSI ) — Hundreds of students at UC San Diego remained in their “Gaza Solidarity” encampment Saturday for the fourth day of protest. Among the group’s demands is a call for university administrators to divest from all of its Israeli financial interests.

“But they haven’t responded at all, so we’re hoping they can come out to try to talk to the students, but for the past 4 days we’ve heard nothing,” said Subrein Damanhoury, with the Palestinian Youth Movement.

On Saturday, Matt Nagel, a UC San Diego spokesperson, said the fire marshal and health inspector tried to discuss health and safety protocols in place in the encampment and approached the entrance, when students swarmed the encampment entrance and chanted to ensure that no authorities entered until school officials met their demands.

Police presence increased in that moment, but while tensions were high it remained peaceful and campus administrators walked away.

“It’s really disappointing to see that they’re out here trying to bring in people to check and try to close down the encampment. But they’re not out here trying to listen to their students,” said Damanhoury.

She said about 150 students are in the encampment, which is gradually growing everyday.

But Damanhoury say they are committed to keeping the peace. “We have the Muslim community out here, the Palestinian, Arab. We have Jewish Voices for Peace and UCSD actually inside the encampment, so it’s not a hateful thing, and the students are out here supporting each other,” she said.

People we spoke to say they plan to stay as long as possible until their demands are met.
UCSD has said the encampment violates campus policy but it’s unclear what action will be taken.

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