On night three of demonstrations on campus in support of Palestine, no arrests were made and law enforcement was not present as supporters who had been on the lawn in front of the Student Union since Friday afternoon decided to disperse at approximately 11:15 p.m.
Demonstrators in support of Palestine gather for the third consecutive day. No demonstrators were arrested as the group gathered in front of the UT Student Union. Friday, May 3, 2024.
When 9:00 p.m. came around, students and community members began discussing their plans for what to do if the University of Tennessee administration or police officers showed up. One group of 11 students decided they would stay put on the lawn and risk getting arrested for violating the university’s Outdoor Facility Usage for Authorized Events policy. The rest of the group moved to the public sidewalk but stayed nearby to support those who wished to remain on the lawn.
At 9:58 p.m., Vice Chancellor for Student Life Frank Cuevas came out to the front of the Student Union building to deliver a message to those demonstrating. He read the following statement:
You are conducting an unauthorized event on university property. Earlier today, university staff asked you to move your event to the sidewalk.
On several occasions, university staff have informed representatives of your group about the process through which you may obtain the status of a registered student organization. Obtaining registered student organization status is a free and simple process. The university has over 500 registered student organizations. The status of registered student organization would provide you access to several benefits and resources, including the privilege of requesting university space to conduct your event. For unknown reasons, you have chosen not to take advantage of the opportunity to become a registered student organization.
We have been following a tiered response the past several days with respect to your conduct. This is your final administrative warning for today. Starting now, and for the remainder of the day and into tomorrow, law enforcement will be responding to your conduct and enforcing all applicable laws.
I am reminding you again that camping is prohibited on university property. Camping on state property is a Class E felony and carries a possible sentence of 1 to 6 years in prison and fines up to $3,000.
All the students and community members waited for police officers to appear after this statement. By 11 p.m., law enforcement had not shown up, and the group called it a “win” for the movement. They then decided to leave and dispersed at approximately 11:15 p.m.
A recap of Friday’s demonstrations in support of Palestine
At around noon Friday, students began gathering on the lawn in front of the Student Union as the College of Law lawn was still barricaded after nine demonstrators were arrested Thursday night.
It was a quiet day with little word from administrators as students in support of Palestine studied on the lawn.
The students and community members held several events they said were spontaneous, including a performance from Knoxville’s Adeem the Artist, open mic poetry, a Jewish Voices for Peace Shabbat and a Dabke workshop.
The group, which is calling itself the “People’s School for Gaza,” also had a group discussion about what they want to gain from demonstrating and studying together. They talked about learning more about the history of Palestine, collaborating with student organizations and the importance of continuing the movement, among other topics.
