Pro-Palestinian students gathered outside the UWM Welcome Center to protest the Israel-Palestine conflict as Vice President Kamala Harris visited campus on Oct. 17.
Students convened at 9 a.m. to organize and walk toward the Lubar Entrepreneurship/Welcome Center where Harris eventually spoke to a business class and took part in a meet-and-greet.
Along the way, there were some cheers from passersby and cars honked horns as the protestors went by.
Once at the planned protest spot, which was across the street from the Welcome Center, everyone began chanting.
Chants Included:
- “From the river to the sea, Palestine must be free.”
- “UWM you can’t hide, you’re supporting genocide.”
- “End the Zionist occupation, we demand liberation”
- “Israel bombed USA paid, how many kids have you killed today?”
- “MPD, KKK, IOF they’re all the same”
Brian Stover, a Milwaukee resident, watched the protests unfold and had no issue with them as long as they stayed peaceful.
There was heavy police and secret service presence with snipers camped out on the top of the Welcome Center and some surrounding school buildings. Stover understood that Harris was trying to reach student voters but didn’t appreciate the chaos the visit stirred.
“I don’t like that it’s disrupting everything here,” Stover said, “Like the buses can’t get through, and it’s causing a little bit of turmoil for the campus.”
Soon after arriving the protestors moved close to the building, crossing the street, and planting their feet on a patch of grass out front. This is where they remained throughout the VP’s visit, even after the police built a barricade of officers around them.
Those authorized to be inside with the VP slowly shuffled through the checkpoint at the front of the building. These included students in the business class, students contacted before the event and some people from the community.
Wave Chapelle, a local performing artist, was contacted to perform in recognition of voting and specifically encourage voting among the black community.
“My message to students is do your research, ask the questions, be curious, be upset, be enthused,” Wave Chapelle said, “I like the energy; whether it’s good or negative.”
The protests remained ongoing even until Harris and her motorcade arrived just before noon.
Before the arrival of VP Harris, bystanders not protesting and media that wasn’t approved were pushed further back behind yellow police tape as vehicles were brought in to create a blockade for the Harris motorcade to drive through.
A few protestors left the main encampment to ignite and lead cheers at the police tape to maximize coverage. There was even one protestor who left due to worry they might be arrested and have to deal with ICE.
At one point there was a protestor removed from the encampment by officers, but the protestor wasn’t cuffed.
Other students and civilians joined in on the chanting and protests that took place behind the police tape.
Peggy, a Shorewood resident, took her normal walk in the area when she stumbled upon the ongoing commotion.
“I just wanted to take a picture of her if I could,” Peggy said.
However, there were never any sightings of the vice president outside of those approved to be inside during the visit.
There were a few tense moments between protestors and police officers. These interactions only resulted in an exchange of words and there were no physical altercations.
This included a moment early on when protestors stretched the tape too far and it tore. An officer had to reestablish the border and bring out more police tape.
The protests continued loud and strong for a period at all angles. After some time the protestors tired and chants slowed down before reigniting once Harris left the campus.
Not all students there engaged in the protests, and some stood in the back observing.
One of those onlookers was an anonymous UWM student who said, “I literally just wanted to see Kamala, nothing political.” They still spoke on the protest and said they believe it’s “for a good cause.”
Some residents refused to comment to the UWM Post. Additionally, employees of the school couldn’t make a political statement.
Throughout the day protestors handed out political fliers that supported third-party candidate Jill Stein and urged people to vote green and outside of the two-party system.
The group also planned to gather support in their efforts for a ceasefire in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and stop the U.S. support of Israel.
According to a flyer that was handed out, “As voters of conscience, we cannot guarantee our votes until the bombs are stopped.”
There is no current word if there will be any more protests of this magnitude and size on campus. That could change if any more political candidates make a campus visit.