UWM protesters 'optimistic' agreement will be reached with administration, as graduation approaches

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Pro-Palestinian protesters at UWM say they're optimistic an agreement with the university can be reached before the May 19 commencement ceremonies.

The approaching end of the semester is why the encampment was emptier on Thursday, May 9. Dozens of tents remain but many of the student protesters were away, preparing for final exams.

There is more momentum toward a resolution this week compared to last week. But protesters say a deal is not in the works yet, and they're prepared to continue.

Ameen Atta, a student representative with the UWM Popular University for Palestine Coalition, told us graduation is "on everybody's mind, but there are no current plans."

May 19th will be a big day for UWM students and the university.

That Sunday will also provide a big opportunity for protesters to make a statement, if they choose to.

Atta said, "We sincerely hope that an agreement will be reached before commencement."

But if an agreement is not reached, the protesters pledge to continue.

And so they're weighing their options: possibilities include moving the protest area to Panther Arena for the ceremonies, displaying pro-Palestinian symbols and messages on caps and gowns inside, or even demonstrating during the ceremonies.

This week student representatives met twice with administrators.

Audari Tamayo, with the Students for a Democratic Society – Milwaukee, said, "They tried telling us, 'three months.' We said, '48 hours.' And we got that meeting in 48 hours. So no, we're the ones calling the shots."

Atta is one of the representatives that has been in the meetings. He said the conversations were productive and the university is listening. "We're communicating, we're sitting in meetings, we're communicating back and forth. And there is cooperation. Is there concrete agreement to all of the demands? Not yet, but we are one step closer."

It could take time to satisfy some of the more complicated financial demands, but the students say a public statement from the university demonstrating its commitment would be the first step.

Atta is optimistic an agreement will be reached.

The encampment was significantly quieter Thursday with fewer protesters on site. Atta said many are trying to balance jobs and class responsibilities with their commitment to the protest, plus, he said, "There are many students working on research, working on negotiations with the university. That is also happening behind the scenes."

Politicians continue to take questions about the protest.

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said Thursday, "It is my hope that the organizers of the protest, as well as the campus leadership, can come together and figure out some terms."

But university leadership continues to not take questions.

On Thursday another statement from the university repeated that UWM wants a peaceful resolution "and are working towards that goal with ongoing discussions". But, it continued, "At this point, UWM has not given a deadline."

Protesters have not said if another meeting is scheduled with administrators.