On Sunday, students at the University of Vermont set up an encampment on the Andrew Harris Commons, consisting of around a dozen tents.UVM and Middlebury College are two of the latest universities where students have created an encampment calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.On Sunday evening at UVM’s campus, students were playing music, handing out dinner, and setting up tents on the green between the Howe Library and the Davis Center.One student spoke with NBC5, he requested to be anonymous and only identified as a student representative with UVM’s Students for Justice in Palestine club.He said the community is calling for a ceasefire and for UVM to divest from any financial investments that support what he calls the occupation of Palestine.”We’re responding to a genocide,” said the student. “But in the middle of all that is this very beautiful community of people who are struggling from a place of love and hope and care and compassion for humanity.”UVM Police were also on scene and told NBC5 that they were there to monitor the camp and make sure that everyone stays safe on campus.The student added that the group plans to sleep on the green until their demands are met.Meanwhile, Middlebury College told NBC5 that there were an estimated 30 tents pitched on the campus by Sunday evening. In a statement provided by the college, the demonstration was said to be peaceful, with a primary goal of the university being to support free expression in a way that keeps the Middlebury community safe.The statement also said that students have been peaceful and are complying with the college’s protest policies, adding, “Middlebury is committed to freedom of expression and association for all its members, and to promoting and supporting the consideration, discussion, and questioning of ideas, even if they are unpopular or controversial.”
On Sunday, students at the University of Vermont set up an encampment on the Andrew Harris Commons, consisting of around a dozen tents.
UVM and Middlebury College are two of the latest universities where students have created an encampment calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
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On Sunday evening at UVM’s campus, students were playing music, handing out dinner, and setting up tents on the green between the Howe Library and the Davis Center.
One student spoke with NBC5, he requested to be anonymous and only identified as a student representative with UVM’s Students for Justice in Palestine club.
He said the community is calling for a ceasefire and for UVM to divest from any financial investments that support what he calls the occupation of Palestine.
“We’re responding to a genocide,” said the student. “But in the middle of all that is this very beautiful community of people who are struggling from a place of love and hope and care and compassion for humanity.”
UVM Police were also on scene and told NBC5 that they were there to monitor the camp and make sure that everyone stays safe on campus.
The student added that the group plans to sleep on the green until their demands are met.
Meanwhile, Middlebury College told NBC5 that there were an estimated 30 tents pitched on the campus by Sunday evening.
In a statement provided by the college, the demonstration was said to be peaceful, with a primary goal of the university being to support free expression in a way that keeps the Middlebury community safe.
The statement also said that students have been peaceful and are complying with the college’s protest policies, adding, “Middlebury is committed to freedom of expression and association for all its members, and to promoting and supporting the consideration, discussion, and questioning of ideas, even if they are unpopular or controversial.”
