Pro-Palestinian encampment ready for 2nd night on UW-Milwaukee campus; Evers weighs in on removal options

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – Pro-Palestinian demonstrations stretched into a second day on the UWM campus as protesters doubled down on demands the university cut ties with Israel.

Some protesters are preparing to spend a second night on the lawn outside Mitchell Hall after the encampment again swelled in size throughout the day when more supporters gathered.

Student Kayla Patterson spent Monday night in a tent, and told us, "It was peaceful, we were all obviously on guard."

There were no issues overnight as protesters slept in tents on campus.

Pro-Palestinian protester Zaid Dahir told us, "Nothing happened at night during the encampment."

After preparing Monday for a confrontation that never happened, Tuesday's atmosphere was relatively less intense.

Patterson said, "I do feel a difference today. Of course, we can't let our guard down entirely, but we don't feel as immediately pressured."

Tuesday brought more chants and speeches.

"We reiterate the demands that we have provided to the UWM administration. Demands that will simply require the UWM administration to adopt a moral and ethical position respecting the basic human and civil rights of all people," UW-Milwaukee Muslim Student Association member Ameen Atta said.

Atta was joined by fellow student protesters during a news conference Tuesday in response to a statement on the encampment sent out by UW-Milwaukee the night before.

"We are disappointed that the UWM administration has responded to these crimes, that are unparalleled in modern history, and that directly impact the families of UW and students, by meekly calling for a quote-unquote end the violence, quote-unquote release of hostages," Atta said.

The students continue to ask the university to cut ties with Israel.

Shortly after the protesters' news conference, the university sent out another statement:

"UWM’s first priority is the safety and well-being of our students, employees and visitors," the statement read. "UWM Police will continue to monitor the encampment on the lawn south of Mitchell Hall. Members of the UWM administration are having conversations with students and community members in the background and are working on peaceful resolutions. Though we understand the encampment is unsettling for many in our community, the encampment has not disrupted any events, classes or programs on campus. UWM Police will remain present at the encampment but cannot publicly disclose law enforcement procedures."

The university has turned down our requests to speak with administrators about the protests.

Earlier in the day, Governor Tony Evers was in Milwaukee for an event and commented on the encampments taking place in both Milwaukee and Madison.

"At some point in time, the encampments have to end," Evers said. "And so, whether that’s done voluntarily or not. Yes, it’s an issue. And we will eventually take action if we have to."

Evers said calling in the National Guard to break up the encampments is out of the question. However, protesters spent the day preparing for potential forced removal, fortifying a barricade they created around the encampment.

So far, UWM has not taken action to remove protesters, despite calling the encampment unlawful.

And the protesters deflected when asked about violating state code.

Audari Tamayo, a member of Students for a Democratic Society - Milwaukee, said, "What we say is illegal is destroying every single university in Gaza, what we say is illegal is occupation."

"We do have a lot of community members, a lot of children that we need to protect, and we've seen at other universities how police and riot cops have been handling the situation. Tackling professors, tackling students," Dahir said.

They also stocked up on supplies, many of which were donations.

"I've never been a part of a community like this. Everyone's been very supportive. Whether you're a Muslim, a Palestinian, or neither of those things, this is just a righteous cause," Dahir said.

While all eyes are on them, the protesters told the media they want the focus to be on their cause.

"Everyone is here for the same reason: for Palestine. For the Palestinian students, for the Palestinian genocide of not just the people, but the culture," student Samia Saeed said.

In response to the encampment, Hillel, a Jewish student organization at UW-Milwaukee, released a statement that reads in part:

"We are asking that members of the Jewish community, including our students and their supporters, please stay away from the protests. Counter-protesting will only lend additional attention to the protests, increases the chance for violent encounters, and complicates the work of law enforcement. The safety of our students and our community is our number one priority, and we are working closely with Milwaukee Jewish Federation security and law enforcement to ensure the safety of our students and our building."

Hillel called it "another painful week in a long, and painful year" for Jewish students.

Protesters at the encampment responded, saying they are not participating in hate speech toward Jewish students.

"We have Jewish students protesting here with us," Dahir said. "We have Jewish Voice for Peace here as well."