DENVER — Protests demanding that the University of Colorado Denver divest from Israel entered their third day Saturday.
Protesters put tents up on Thursday around noon. They have removed them and set them back up again several times as police have shown up to the encampment. Protesters tell 9NEWS they have been inspired by other campuses across the country, especially Columbia University in New York.
Saturday is the second day Khalid Hamu, with Students for a Democratic Society, woke up in a tent in the middle of campus.
“I am not much of a camper, it was cold, but other than that, I mean, it wasn’t too bad,” Hamu said.
Camping on campus is a violation of campus policy according to a statement the Auraria Campus released that read in part: “It’s essential to note that Auraria Campus policy prohibits camping on the premises because of health, safety and security.”
Hamu said he understands it’s a violation of campus policy, but said the tents are a part of their protest.
Denver Police and Auraria Campus Police arrested at least 40 people for trespassing Friday. No more arrests have been announced since.
“It was extremely sad,” Hamu said. “You know. I could even, I couldn’t even keep chanting. I was crying.”
“I would prefer that not to happen,” said Scott Levin, the director of the Anti-Defamation League Mountain States Region. “I would prefer they just exercise their First Amendment rights to say what they are so passionate about, but to violate rules, there has to be consequences.”
Levin was disheartened to see the language and signage used all over the U.S.
“It’s been really disappointing to see the types of protests that have been happening not only at the Auraria Campus, but across the country,” Levin said.
Especially right now, during Passover.
“But even Jews in America are feeling very vulnerable and Passover is a time when, you know, we mark the time when the Jews came out of being enslaved people to liberation,” Levin said.
It remains to be seen how long the protests will last. Stocked up on food, demonstrators said they plan to weather the rain and snow as long as possible.
An Auraria Higher Education Center spokesperson said in an email that Auraria Campus officials and police were "actively observing and assessing the ongoing demonstration."
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