UNC Asheville students stage ‘soft encampment’ seeking university transparency over Gaza

UNC Asheville students stage ‘soft encampment’ seeking university transparency over Gaza

A student coalition is staging a “soft encampment” on UNC Asheville’s campus over the war in Gaza, joining hundreds of students nationwide who are demanding universities divest, or cut financial ties with Israel and Israeli companies. About 30 students sat in a circle on chairs on May 3, or cross-legged on the lawn of “the Quad” in front of the Ramsey Library. Scrawled in chalk on the paved sidewalk nearby are names and ages of Palestinian children killed in the Israel-Hamas conflict. A drawing of university mascot Rocky the Bulldog with blood on its paws is seen in front of the library.

Student Demands for Transparency

A student at UNCA said the group is asking for transparency from the university, divestment on any funds that may be going directly or indirectly to Israel, cutting ties with Israeli universities, and establishing support for Gaza universities to restart at the end of the conflict.

Building Solidarity and Community

The “soft encampment” began on May 2, with a few dozen students showing up in support. They plan to be there until their demands are met, or until the end of the term. For now, they don’t intend to stay overnight.

“We’re really just building solidarity and community,” a senior at UNCA said. “We would like to see UNC Asheville divest from Israel, but our main goal is to build community among students, faculty, and community members who are willing to stand up against genocide.”

Nationwide Movement

In the past couple of weeks, hundreds of students have set up encampments from California to Massachusetts, with police across the country arresting students and protesters at various universities. Sitting on the quiet lawn outside Ramsey Library, the UNCA students expressed solidarity with those arrested during encampments over Israel’s war in Gaza, especially those who are part of the UNC system.

On April 30, 36 people were arrested during a “Gaza solidarity encampment” on UNC-Chapel Hill’s campus. While the Asheville students sat discussing the war in Gaza and concerns about what they feel is the university’s lack of transparency, two campus police officers walked around the quad, passing glances at the group.

Though interactions with police have been minimal, the students did express a feeling of being surveilled.

On-Going Conversation on Campus

This protest is part of an on-going conversation on campus. Most recently, student protestors held signs outside the university’s faculty senate meeting on May 2. Some members of the faculty senate have offered support, and others seemed sympathetic to their protests.

A student mentioned a group of students being investigated for vandalism by campus police after they placed water-soluble flyers and posters around campus a few months ago. As one of those students, they were given a fine, hours of community service, probation, and faced an administrative hearing by the university.

The university has been contacted regarding the student fines and if it plans to respond to the group’s demands. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.