When 10 p.m. hit on the University of Tennessee Student Union lawn, an announcement rang out from the nearby blue light system. The announcement warned that the reservation of the lawn was over and demonstrators must exit the area. Demonstrators had already begun exiting the area on Tuesday night when the final announcement began playing.
The blue light system also read a 15-minute warning announcement, ending the first day the demonstrators have had clear-cut permission to gather from the university.
Since nine pro-Palestine demonstrators were arrested May 2 in front of the UT College of Law, the group has gathered across Cumberland Avenue in front of the Student Union, calling themselves the “People’s School for Gaza” — a group compiled of students and community members who host outdoor classroom-style study sessions despite not being registered as an affiliated student organization.
Registered student organizations are permitted to rent space from the university. Based on new information posted by the university on a sandwich board sign in front of the Student Union, the university has reserved the space for free expression from the ”People’s School for Gaza.”
“Under the university’s Policy Affirming Principles of Free Speech for Students and Faculty and ability to implement time, place and manner restrictions, we are designating the space that the unaffiliated group “People’s School for Gaza” has chosen to use over the past several days in non-compliance with university policy — the Student Union Cumberland Plaza — for your group’s free expression activity. It is available to you from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. through Saturday, May 11, subject to further notice from the university,” the sign reads.
Along with the new information posted on the sign have come announcements from the nearby blue light system, reiterating the 10 p.m. time by which demonstrators must exit the area.
“The University of Tennessee, Knoxville is committed to recognizing individuals’ rights to free speech and free expression and providing a safe learning environment for all. We are committed to recognizing these rights within the bounds of law and policy, neutral of content,” the sign reads.
“The university is exercising its ability to impose time, place and manner restrictions for the safety of our campus and the continuity of campus operations, including academic and other scheduled campus activities, routine maintenance, landscaping and safety duties.”
The sign directs to several websites, including the Hilltopics Student Handbook, for more information on the policy.
What does the Tennessee code about camping have to do with this?
The first time law enforcement was on the scene throughout this past week’s demonstrations was early Thursday morning at the College of Law lawn when police donning riot gear showed up at approximately 12:52 a.m. They arrived after administration informed demonstrators that they were in violation of Tennessee code TCA 39-14-414 and could face felony charges if they did not disperse.
The code states that people cannot “camp” on property owned by the state between the hours of 10 p.m.-7 a.m. The code’s definition of camping includes setting up a tent or shelter, storing belongings for later use, cooking, preparing a fire, digging into the ground, and “sleeping or making preparations to sleep, including laying down a sleeping bag, blanket, or other material used for bedding.”
The university cited this code again Friday night when Vice Chancellor for Student Life Frank Cuevas met students on the lawn outside of the Student Union to remind them of the events policy and of the consequences for camping, which is a is a Class E felony and carries a possible sentence of one to six years in prison and fines up to $3,000. No students were arrested that night.
The students arrested Thursday night were not arrested in relation to this code, as the arrests happened around 9:30 p.m. and the code only applies to the hours 10 p.m.-7 a.m.
The university has yet to respond to The Daily Beacon’s statement request. This article will be updated.
Required reading
No arrests made on night 3 of demonstrations in support of Palestine on Tennessee campus
Protesters in support of Palestine apprehended at College of Law lawn
Police arrive to Tennessee College of Law lawn, protestors in support of Palestine disperse
Recapping Wednesday’s protests in support of Palestine on the University of Tennessee’s campus
UT students in support of Palestine gather outside of College of Law
Photo Gallery: Demonstrators in support of Palestine, Israel meet on University of Tennessee campus
Photo Gallery: Protestors in support of Palestine apprehended, march across campus
Photo Gallery: No arrests made on third day of demonstrations in support of Palestine
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.
