UCSC students “reclaim” building to protest
In Santa Cruz., a sit-in on the UC Santa Cruz campus is expected to go all Monday Night. Hundreds of students have taken over Kerr Hall and say they’re not leaving until their demands are met.
Initially, around 150 students supporting the African-Black Student Alliance filled the hall. Students have been stationed by the doors trying not to let anyone in who’s not a supporter. The staff quickly left the building, according to the school.
“It sounds like some staff were a little taken back by the protest. They weren’t expecting it, and i think anyone that was caught off guard feels a little nervous. But everyone has been safe.” said Scott Hernandez-Jason.
The protestors refused to talk to our reporters but did give us a list of their demands. They are as follows:
“1. Similar to EOP students and International students’ housing guarantees, We demand that ALL African, Black, Caribbean identified students have a 4 year housing guarantee to live in the Rosa Parks African American Themed House. Guaranteeing this would provide a viable living option to all ABC identified students regardless of housing status and college affiliation. We demand a written agreement by the opening of housing applications in April 2017.
2. We demand the university remove the beds and release the Rosa Parks African Themed House lounge so it can serve its original purpose. We demand the lounge be returned by Fall 2017.
3.We demand that the university fund the ENTIRE exterior of the Rosa Parks African American Themed House being pained Pan-Afrikan colors (Red, green, and black) by the start of Spring quarter 2017. These Pan Afrikan colors represent Black liberation, and represent our disapora, and the goals of our people.
4.We demand that all new incoming students from 2017-2018 school year forward (first years and transfers) go through a mandatory in-person diversity competency training in the event that the online module is not implemented by JUNE 2017. We demand that the training be reviewed and approved by A/BSA board every two years. We demand that every incoming student complete this training by their first day of class.
The Afrikan/Black Student Alliance says they have other demands as well but will work with the school over time as those will be costlier and more time-consuming. The university says they’re working with them, but they do have budget restraints.
