Through the mist and sporadic bouts of rain, student organizers — trailed by more than 250 others, some with Palestinian flags, others with umbrellas — carried a large banner. On it, the words, “Divest from Imperialism” and “Jews Against White Supremacy” were spelled out in hand-painted red letters.
The walk-out started in the quarry and quickly amassed a large group of over 200 people. Leaders gave speeches as participants huddled together under umbrellas in the rain.
UC Santa Cruz Divest Coalition held a walkout and march on Feb. 29. Their demands to the UCSC administration centered on calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and an acknowledgment of the ongoing genocide of Palestinians committed by the state of Israel. Demonstrators also called for safe transportation, the reinstatement of priority housing, and addressing food insecurity.
Groups in attendance included the Worker Student Solidarity Coalition, the Student Dining Hall Workers Union, Students for Justice in Palestine, and Jews Against White Supremacy.
“We call on every student worker to stand up, not just for themselves but for their coworkers and for our fellow students,” one speaker said. “Without our labor, UCSC wouldn’t be able to run for a single day.”
Faculty showed up to support protesters and voice their concern for the direction the university is going.
Demonstrators gathered at the Quarry and marched to Kerr Hall, where Organizers presented a list of demands to the Vice Chancellor of Student Success Akirah Bradley-Armstrong. Attendees listened intently as organizers shared their speeches in the Kerr Hall courtyard.
Around 150 people including faculty, undergrads, and grad students peacefully occupied the waiting room of Kerr Hall. In the beginning, the room was filled with a nervous air, but after a few minutes, the loud chants of the student organization’s demands filled the room.
One speaker talked about feeling unsafe when using campus transportation. They called on the crowd to consider how afraid drivers must feel, citing the Nov. 13 loop bus fire and the Dec. 12 crash that injured six passengers and killed long-time Santa Cruz Metro and loop bus driver Dan Stevenson.
“Justice for Dan,” some in the audience called out in response.
Housing insecurity was also a major talking point. On Jan. 23, UCSC announced it would be getting rid of priority housing entirely and transitioning to a lottery system. One speaker noted they have to now consider the possibility of houselessness in the future while being “expected to act normal—like nothing is going on.”
“What do we want?” the speaker asked.
“Priority housing,” the demonstrators called back.
“When do we want it?” the speaker asked again.
“Now!” the crowd responded.
Speakers also called for the UC to invest in dignified and liveable wages for all workers in the UC system, instead of its investment in Blackstone, a private equity firm.
“We have the right to demand the profits of our work go towards our community, not into foreign wars and companies that actively work against our community,” one speaker said.
Following the speeches, organizers instructed demonstrators to calmly enter Kerr Hall. Droves of students filtered through the door, filling the lobby. The floor was soon wet from their footprints, as demonstrators placed demands all over the walls, the entrance desk, and even on the lobby’s ceiling.
Eventually, the entire room was covered in papers and painter’s tape used to spell out “Divest Now! From Genocide,” and “Free Palestine.”
Protesters covered the walls with short and long-term demands they want the university to implement immediately.
Soon after demonstrators entered the building, student mariachis set up outside. As they played, a crowd gathered around them, with some dancing, and others letting out gritos in encouragement.
Following the taping of demands, demonstrators then held a public comment section in the lobby. Many voiced their frustrations with the lack of transparency, communication, and support from the UCSC administration. Demonstrators eventually cleared out of Kerr Hall around 3 p.m.
“If we want serious change, we have to make it happen ourselves. We have to work with one another,” one speaker said. “If we want to exist on the campus, we have to take care of one another. We have to fight for each other. We all have a stake in this fight.”
Editor’s note: Due to students at other universities having their personal information leaked as a result of their views, City on a Hill Press will not publish speakers’ or interviewees’ names or identifying characteristics.
