Traffic flowing freely at UCSC one day after dozens arrested, banned from campus for weeks

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV)- UPDATE ON JUNE 1 AT 6:05 PM-- UC Santa Cruz looked much quieter Saturday a day after police were brought in to disband the pro-Palestinian encampment blocking access in and out of campus.

At the school's main entrance, traffic flowed freely without the protesters, signs, and barricades that had been there in recent weeks.

Some students said they were relieved to see things returning to normal.

“I’d say now that the main entrances are open it’s much more free for cars to get in and out. It's also great that they opened because students also need to get off campus," explained Ashton Lui, an undergrad.

As students make their final push towards the end of the year, classes have been online since Wednesday. While they may return to in-person learning this week, the school said they do not have a date for when that will happen.

UCSC also said protesters who were arrested Friday were issued a 626.4 notice under the California Penal Code, which means they can't return to campus for 14 days. A resource guide is available for those students to navigate classes, retrieving their belongings, and more.

Plans for commencement have not changed, according to the school.

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV) - Police activity on the UC-Santa Cruz campus has died down after a lot of overnight activity involving pro-Palestinian protesters and multiple arrests.

"The situation on campus remains fluid and we will continue to offer support and resources to UC Santa Cruz leaders during this difficult period," said the University's Chancellor Cynthia Larive said in a statement.

The school said that after multiple attempts to diffuse the situation, they had to finally call in law enforcement to disperse the encampment and road blockage. The road had been blocked since Tuesday as protesters took to streets demanding divestment in Israel during the country's ongoing war in Gaza.

“Police ordered us to disperse [but] we decided to hold our ground," one student told KION. "It’s our first amendment right, we are students of this u

Our reporter at the scene was on scene speaking to students and officials about the protest. She said while she was out there, heavy law enforcement was present as well a standoff at one point between protesters and police. She also reported that officials were taking down barricades, signs and tents.

“It was terrible seeing my comrades brutalized," one student told KION. "A lot of them got hit by batons." 

By Friday afternoon, events simmered down, but the school, police and protesters are staying alert if things change.

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV) -- A spokesperson with UC-Santa Cruz confirms multiple arrests have been made after protesters at a pro-Palestinian encampment on campus refused to leave the area overnight.

Law enforcement at UC-Santa Cruz were asking pro-Palestinian protesters to disperse from an encampment on campus or face arrests.

The encampment has been up for multiple days, calling on the UC system and UCSC to divest from Israel amid the country's ongoing war in Gaza.

Video from the scene shows protesters linking arms and lined up opposite of police early Friday morning.

One of the protesters talked to KION saying despite the arrests "We are never ever going to leave. They can send ten police departments, the U.S. Army or Israeli Occupation forces, but we'll still be here."

In a statement, UCSC referred to the continued blockades of campus entrances by the protesters as "dangerous."

Adding the protesters were given "multiple warnings by law enforcement to leave the area," with many refusing to do so.

"It is imperative that we restore full access to our campus and end other unlawful, unsafe actions as demonstrators continued to disrupt campus operations and threatened safety, even delaying access of emergency vehicles."

The full statement from Assistant Vice Chancellor for Communications and Marketing, Scott Hernandez-Jason, can be read below:

Following the continued intentional and dangerous blockade of campus entrances, UC Santa Cruz took action to remove the barricades and disband the unlawful encampment. Those actions started early this morning.

For weeks, encampment participants were given repeated, clear direction to remove the encampment and cease blocking access to numerous campus resources and to the campus itself. They were notified that their actions were unlawful and unsafe. And this morning they were also given multiple warnings by law enforcement to leave the area and disperse to avoid arrest. Unfortunately, many refused to follow this directive and many individuals are being arrested.

It is imperative that we restore full access to our campus and end other unlawful, unsafe actions as demonstrators continued to disrupt campus operations and threatened safety, even delaying access of emergency vehicles. It was impossible to do so without law enforcement intervention. These actions could have been avoided if the encampment participants heeded the many previous directives that were given by campus officials, fire marshals, and law enforcement.

Scott Hernandez-Jason, the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Communications and Marketing

Protesters at the scene said "This is by far the most severe escalation the police has brought upon us. This is the worst use of 'protect and serve' we've seen. They're here to silence our first amendment voices."

UC Santa Cruz classes to remain online on Friday

UPDATE ON MAY 30, 2024 AT 5:30 PM- UC Santa Cruz announced that classes will remain online on Friday as pro-Palestinian protesters are continuing to block the main campus entrance.

School officials said the west entrance is still open and traffic is flowing freely at the school.

Dining halls and libraries at campus are still open.

UC Santa Cruz classes moving online on Wednesday and Thursday due to ongoing protests

UPDATE ON MAY 29, 2024 AT 7:12 p.m. -The Pro-Palestinian protest at the UC Santa Cruz campus has been going on for almost one month. Demonstrators still continue to call on the school until officials meet their demands.

During the protest, demonstrators started blocking more roads that lead onto campus. Although the school opened up the west entrance, the main entrance remains blocked.

Many students and protesters are adding more barricades and signs to the front entrance of the campus on Coolidge Drive. UCSC says that demonstrators were asked to exit the roads to allow for the community to safely enter and exit campus, but the majority of them refused.

Both libraries had to close early as well as the dining halls reducing services, but they are now reopened. Also yesterday, UC officials switched to remote instruction for Wednesday and Thursday.

Protesters say that despite negotiations they are still out here today because something needs to be done to stop the genocide.

UCSC has not announced yet if they will return to in-person learning on Friday.

UC Santa Cruz moves online

UC Santa Cruz announced that they will be moving classes online on Wednesday and Thursday due to ongoing Pro-Palestinian protests.

On Tuesday afternoon, multiple protesters blocked two main entrances to the university as protests continue for a third straight week.

University officials said that demonstrators need to leave the road immediately because it's preventing employees and students from leaving and going on-campus.

The protests have been happening on campus since May 1 and graduate workers shortly joined the protest after on May 20.

Pro-Palestinian protesters blocking main entrances to UC Santa Cruz, university official says

A UC Santa Cruz spokesperson confirmed that multiple protesters are blocking the main entrances to the campus on Tuesday.

The university officially resumed in-person classes on Tuesday but multiple protesters are blocking the main and west entrances.

University officials say that demonstrators need to leave the road immediately because it is preventing employees and students from leaving and from those who are currently on campus from accessing the childcare center.

The blockade is also preventing employees, such as dining workers and custodians, from entering campus for their evening shift per University officials.

The disruption at campus entrances preventing staff/students who work evening shifts to access the campus.

University officials said that the McHenry Library and the Science & Engineering Library buildings are closing tonight at 7 p.m. due to the ongoing protests.

Campus Transit Shuttles are providing modified service between Lower Campus stops and Core West. METRO Buses are not currently entering campus and dropping off an picking up all passengers at the Barn Theater. 

Pro-Palestinian Protesters have been protesting on the campus of UC Santa Cruz on May 1. The United Auto Workers Union joined the strike shortly after.

We have a reporter heading to the scene and this story will be updated.