UW-Milwaukee encampment continues, protesters hold Muslim prayer, Shabbat

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Five days in, protesters at the UW-Milwaukee encampment are holding firm.

"Spirits are high. Morale is high. Every day there are more people," UW-Milwaukee Popular University for Palestine Coalition Audari Tamayo said.

The UW-Milwaukee Popular University for Palestine Coalition created the encampment on Monday, after holding a pro-Palestine rally. On Friday, the UW-Milwaukee Dean of Students, Adam Jussel, sent out a statement updating the campus.

"UWM does not have investments with weapons manufacturers," the statement said. "But I’ve heard from students that they want more detailed information on the UWM Foundation and how it relates to UWM, as well as some details on its investments. I’ve asked the Foundation for that information, and a message from the Foundation will be sent to campus soon."

Jussel also said he is open to conversing with students about the encampment.

"As Dean of Students, I am committed to supporting all students. We may not agree on everything, but I believe we can make progress. Along with many faculty and staff colleagues, I am open to engaging in dialogue on how to help us move forward toward resolution. If you are open to that, just reply to this message," his statement said.

To read the full campus update from Jussel, click here. However, because the email was not addressed to the UW-Milwaukee Popular University for Palestine Coalition, they tell CBS 58 they do not feel the need to respond.

"We're going to have campers throughout the weekend. If they plan to wait us out, we'll be here until commencement. We'll be here until afterward. So, if they want to have a smooth commencement they need to come meet with us now," Tamayo said.

While they wait for the university, the encampment is hosting various religious services with the community, including the weekly Muslim prayer and a Shabbat dinner on Friday.

"It's important to highlight the fact that we are a diverse coalition. An interfaith coalition. An international coalition," Tamayo said.

On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed an act defining antisemitism. The bills' sponsors said encampments like the one on UW-Milwaukee's campus fall under the definition.

"Judaism is not a synonym with Zionism," a member of Jewish Voice for Peace said.

However, a Jewish Voice for Peace member, who chose to remain anonymous, told CBS 58 they feel this creates a larger issue.

"The reason why conflating this with antisemitism is harmful at its core is that then it takes the view off actual antisemitism happening and takes movements that are actually causing good and social progression and social justice, and equates them with a harmful act that again, has nothing to do with it," he said.