DAVIS, Calif — A 'Free Palestine' encampment continues to occupy the quad at University of California, Davis.
Student organizers protested Tuesday after a judge ordered a halt to the strike of thousands of academic workers across the University of California system.
An Orange County judge temporarily halted the UC academic workers’ strike Friday, ruling the walkout caused “damage to students education” during finals despite the California Public Employment Relations Board declining to issue an injunction twice.
Ingrid Sub Cuc is a PhD student, union member and has worked at UC Davis for three years.
"Hundreds of workers have been forced to return to work this week, facing backlash from their instructors and university, expected to complete three weeks of work in just four days, and many have been confused about the process as we only have three days of school left,” said Cuc.
UC union employee members of UAW 4811 chose to strike in protest of the school’s response to pro-Palestine demonstrations on campus.
Students have been living in tents on the quad at UC Davis since May in protest of Israel’s actions in Gaza. Michaela Anang is one of many people in the encampment.
"For months, we students, workers, faculty, have witnessed with eyes agape in horror state-sponsored massacre of Palestinian cities and families,” said Anang.
Meanwhile, pro-Israel group The October 7th Coalition were on campus expressing what they describe as a growing concern for campus safety, especially for those who are Jewish.
Jonathan Groveman is a member of the coalition.
“They’ve scared students, especially Jewish students. They’ve discriminated against a whole fleet of people and I would say at this point if you are not part of the encampment, you are pretty sick of this whole thing going on because you can’t have a normal existence on campus. You can’t have a healthy learning environment,” said Groveman.
UC Davis sent ABC10 this statement: "We are focused on academic continuity and ensuring students can peacefully complete their coursework and research for the end of the academic year. We are also monitoring activity across the UC system to ensure that UAW is complying with the temporary restraining order."
The Davis Faculty Association said they support the union and its rights.
Since it's finals week, ABC10 asked people at the encampment if they plan to be there into summer. They said it’s not something they can share right now.
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