SACRAMENTO, Calif — While cleanup is underway at University of California, Los Angeles, it’s a different story at Sacramento State University.
Day four of the free Palestine movement at Sacramento State continued Thursday, with some expansion and additional resources in place. This includes more artwork, signs, hand washing stations and portable bathrooms.
As long as the protest stays peaceful, the university has given them until May 8 to remain on campus.
Hamzah, one of the student organizers, said they’ve had good conversations with the university.
“The president has told us he may extend that (deadline). He has been very cooperative. He says that he supports our right to demonstrate, but even if he didn’t, we would still stay here,” said Hamzah
ABC10 asked President Luke Wood about the statement, but he said he had no comment regard.
At a separate event on Thursday morning, ABC10 asked Wood if there was anything he wanted to say about what’s happening on campus, but he kept it short.
“Just that we are a public university. There you go,” said Wood.
Also on Thursday, state Republican leaders called on college administrators to take action. They said those who allow barricades to go up on their campuses are complicit and need to be held responsible.
They’re asking Democrats to consider two things through budget actions. First, if any students are convicted of criminal acts related to these protests or damaging campus, they should lose California specific financial aid, known as Cal Grants. Second, any damage or cleanup should be footed by the university, not the taxpayer.
Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher (R-Yuba City) and Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones (R-San Diego) held the press conference.
“Whatever state resources have been used to restore order on these campuses and clean them up, whatever dollar amount that is, maybe that’s where we start. That’s the penalty those campuses should experience in their budgeting process. We’re interested in the administration being accountable,” said Jones.
Protest organizers at Sacramento State said they have a right to speak out on campus.
“They are threatening the very fabric of our society. College and college students, first of all, are educated people, but student activism is very important to society as well,” said Hamzah.
Gallagher added that there is a distinct difference between the protest at Sacramento State as opposed to the violent protests on other campuses. He doesn’t believe police should get involved yet.
With just 20 days left in the semester, organizers said they also plan to stay after graduation.
WATCH ALSO:
