UW-Milwaukee encampment ending; student-led protests against war in Gaza 

MILWAUKEE - The tents are coming down. Students protesting the Israel-Hamas war and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee have reached an agreement that brings an end to a two-week-long encampment.

Students broke camp Monday, May 13 after spending 14 days on the lawn outside Mitchell Hall. It is a conclusion that came about after discussions with university administration – and an ultimatum.

"When they did give that final ultimatum, we still went back two or three times after that. So we didn’t back down when there was pressure," said Ameen Atta.

The students said Monday morning that pressure was coming from the Universities of Wisconsin System.

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The agreement includes the following: 

• Encampment must come down by 8 a.m. Tuesday, May 14
• Students will meet with UWM Foundation leaders to discuss disclosure and divestment from companies that do business with Israel.

"Without disclosure, we can’t know what we’re invested in — or not. Disclosure is the bare minimum in transparency," said Audari Tamayo, UWM junior and member of Students for a Democratic Society.

The university calls for a cease-fire in Gaza that has killed an estimated 34,000 people, denouncing genocide, as well as the Oct. 7 militant attacks that killed around 1,200 Israelis, and the destruction of schools and universities in Gaza. It will also review school-sponsored study abroad programs.

In exchange, the encampment must come down, there will be no disruptions of commencement ceremonies, and university staff will clean the chalking on Mitchell Hall.

"I am free to disagree with the chancellor’s approach," said Sandy Weidener, a UWM employee.

Weidener said she is shocked and appalled as to how the university allowed the protest to take place – particularly the chalking on a side of Mitchell Hall.

"To me, it’s desecrating what taxpayers have so generously boughten," Weidener said. 

"I don’t think our tiny inconveniences are anything in comparison to the people that we’re fighting for," said Ameen Atta. 

The chancellor sits on a Milwaukee-based nonprofit called The Water Council. The agreement says The Water Council has cut its relationship with two Israeli government water companies, accused of cutting off drinking water to thousands in Gaza.

The students say they plan to meet with the foundation Tuesday morning. 

Reaction

State Rep. Ryan Clancy (D-Milwaukee)

"I am immensely proud and inspired by these student organizers and their work. Within just two weeks, they created a space of learning, healing, advocacy and joy, and used it to win tangible policy change, to draw connections between this issue and other vital work, and to underline that the struggle continues.

"To support that continued work, our office is committed to working with student organizers and other stakeholders to draft and support legislation that allows divestment - as that is prohibited under 2017 Wisconsin Act 248 - and enables student demands to be fully realized.

"I have never been more hopeful, both that we will see a free Palestine soon and in the capacity of these students to take on and fix the problems that our generations have saddled them with. Our community owes them both our apologies and gratitude."

Congressman Bryan Steil (R-Wisconsin)

"UW-Milwaukee should not have caved to the demands of protestors and rewarded bad behavior. Instead of caving, the university should uphold the law, punish those who broke the rules, and maintain its business, investment, and academic relationships with Israel.  
 
"The university leadership did this to avoid any protests at commencement. In other words, university leadership thought the risk of enforcing the rules following a disruption at commencement was so great it was willing to break ties with our ally Israel. This is unacceptable. All the more so when Hamas continues to hold over 100 innocent hostages."

Consul General of Israel to the Midwest, Yinam Cohen

"We are deeply concerned to learn about the terms of the agreement between the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee administration and their anti-Israel encampment. While we are waiting for further clarifications from the University of Wisconsin System and UWM's leadership, we are troubled by the decision to reward those who broke the rules by creating more discrimination against its Jewish and pro-Israel students. We will comment further on the issue after we have the full picture."

State Sen. Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee)

"As an alumnus of UW-Milwaukee and the state senator representing the campus, I am proud that Chancellor Mark Mone, UWM leadership, and student organizers were able to come to an agreement to end the protest encampment. This victory for student protestors was a testament to the peaceful, principled, and determined actions of young people who chose to assume a leadership role in a crucial national conversation.

"Despite the efforts of some politicians who used the protests as an opportunity to sow fear and disinformation, student organizers kept the focus on ensuring UWM cut formal ties with groups supporting Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s illegal and genocidal war against Palestinian civilians that has left 35,000 dead, two thirds of them women and children.

"The position taken by student protestors against the war in Gaza is one that is shared by a majority of Americans. We do not want to see our tax dollars be used to violate American law and to exacerbate a famine. President Biden has heard this message, and in a major policy shift, announced the U.S. would not provide Israel with munitions if they chose to launch a large-scale attack in Rafah, and that Israel must facilitate delivery of humanitarian aid for Palestinian civilians affected by the ongoing war.

"Islamophobia and antisemitism have no place in this world, and to that end, I hope that a ceasefire can be reached and new leadership will emerge to negotiate a two-state solution. An independent Palestinian state will be critical to building a lasting peace in Israel and the surrounding region.

"I am proud of the brave young people at UWM for standing up for their beliefs and pushing for a more just and peaceful world."

The Water Council

For many years, in pursuit of our mission, The Water Council has shared an open dialogue with water-related organizations around the world in the interest of improving water quality and quantity outcomes for all. Today, the Water Council has 15 members based outside the United States. This open dialogue has included Israeli water technology organizations, including Mekorot, Israel Innovation Authority and Ben-Gurion University, in the interest of sharing innovations and discovering new water technologies.

The Water Council disagrees with the characterization that it has recently ended relationships with Mekorot and Israel Innovation Authority as there has been no activity with these organizations since 2019 and they were never members of The Water Council. Additionally, The Water Council has had no formal ties, ongoing projects or financial interests with any company or organization in Israel or the Middle East in recent history.

The Water Council also wants to emphasize it has no position with respect to accusations regarding Mekorot and Israel Innovation Authority. Any insinuation that The Water Council’s inactivity with Mekorot and Israel Innovation Authority pertains to these accusations is false.

We have tried in recent months to correct the media’s misinformed characterization of The Water Council’s "relationships" with Israeli organizations. Most recently, we clearly stated to reporters that we have no ongoing relationships or activities with Israel, and therefore no relationships to terminate, but the media have decided not to include that explanation in their reporting.

The Water Council supports the United Nations’ call for access to water and sanitation as a human right available to all people. We will continue to work toward our mission of solving critical water challenges by driving freshwater technology innovation and advancing water stewardship so that all people can have access to clean, abundant freshwater.