Occidental’s Board of Trustees has agreed to carry a vote on pro-Palestinian protesters’ calls to divest from Israel, bringing the encampment on the Los Angeles campus to an finish after 9 days.
Leaders of Occidental’s College students for Justice in Palestine chapter agreed the encampment could be taken down by Friday, the group wouldn’t return to occupy any area on campus with out prior approval and wouldn’t impede graduation, in keeping with the settlement signed by the school’s vp and assistant vp for scholar affairs together with two protest leaders.
The faculty mentioned it could not self-discipline any protester based mostly on their participation within the encampment “as long as Demonstrators don’t improve present ranges of encampment, signage, or different actions.”
As the educational yr attracts to a detailed and universities put together for graduation season, issues of extra on-campus disruptions have prompted colleges together with USC and Columbia College to cancel their important commencement ceremonies.
Whereas protest encampments at a number of campuses nationwide have been the location of violence and arrests, the encampment at Occidental has remained peaceable, with out conflicts involving counterprotesters or the police.
With its settlement to think about divestment from Israeli-linked investments and firms, Occidental paved the best way for an uninterrupted graduation ceremony Could 19.
“Demonstrators agree to not trigger or promote substantial disruption of Occidental’s Graduation ceremony on Could 19, 2024, which might create security issues for attendees, violate any Faculty insurance policies, or require pausing, canceling, or relocating of the occasion,” the settlement reads.
College students for Justice in Palestine’s divestment proposal requires the school to analyze and disclose any investments in Boeing Co., Elbit Programs, Caterpillar Inc., and Lockheed Martin — manufacturing firms which have supplied arms and gear to the Israeli army.
The Board of Trustees will think about the divestment proposal and vote on a advice by its inner funding committee by June 6, in keeping with the settlement.
