Author: Anthony Orrico, Jd Preslicka
Early Thursday morning, pro-Palestinian protesters blocked the walkway leading from the College of Business to the Brotman Hall courtyard and the entrance from the GO BEACH sign. Metal chairs, tables and umbrellas were used as walkway barricades around the fountain.
The event was sponsored by La FUERZA, CSULB's Faculty of Palestine Justice (FJP), CSULB's Students for Palestine Justice (SJP), and the California Faculty Association (CFA). They began marching from the upper campus quad to Brodtman Hall around 11 a.m., completing a blockade around the fountain.
The demonstrators shouted and sang while holding placards that read “Americans' struggle, Israel makes billions” and “CSULB will not be complicit in genocide.” Protesters placed an even larger sign near the front wall of Brotman Hall.
Alternative passageways for students remained available, even though passageways were blocked for the first hour of the protest. Throughout the day, demonstrators were urged by organizers to follow demonstration guidelines.
On the northeast side of the blockade, CFA members held up signs provided by OC Banner Drop 4 Palestine. Two placards carried by the six read: “We condemn school killings. Israel destroyed all universities in Gaza” and “End Israeli occupation and save Gaza.” was.
Organizers, including CFA members, directed traffic on both sides of the blockade. In addition to CFA faculty, CSULB professors were also present to support the protest.
“There are two different traditions in this country. One tradition is a tradition of war, violence, settler colonialism, and the other tradition is a tradition of resisting those things, a different type of society, a different type of tradition. I believe it's part of that tradition,” said Yousef Baker, professor of international studies at CSULB.
Most protesters refused to speak to the press, directing inquiries to La Fuerza member and media representative Luis Ortiz.
“The university system invests $1 billion in companies that invest in Israel, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, people who profit from genocide. We have a responsibility to make sure that our funds are spent in the right direction. We don't want our funds to be used to genocide Palestinians or genocide people abroad,” Ortiz said. .
Demonstrators were provided with food, water and additional face coverings at a booth near the back wall of the courtyard. Hospitables provided food and drinks, and monetary donations were encouraged. It was unclear exactly what kind of organization was receiving these donations, only calling itself “Omotenashi.''
Near the blockade entrance next to a “GO BEACH” sign, Beach Hillel members spoke to pro-Palestinian protesters holding small Israeli and American flags. The group stayed for about an hour.
Not all students who were not protesting were indifferent to the protests. One student became upset because the aisle was blocked, and another grabbed a chair and threw it to the side of the aisle.
Some students were frustrated by the nature of the protest and the potential for inconveniencing students trying to go to class.
“That's outrageous. Let's be peaceful and do what we have to do. But why would we lock down students so they can't walk to class?” CSULB student Faith Power said. . “And I think it's sad that because of certain events, there are people who don't even get to have their graduation ceremony. And I'm just like, this is a little disproportionate. We're like this. We're not even in a country where that happens.”
Other students openly disagreed with the protesters' overall message and expressed their feelings.
“You often see the song 'From the River to the Sea.' Maybe some students don't understand the meaning behind it. But there's a concept behind it. It's genocide.” said Adam Franco, another CSULB student.
Around 5 p.m., demonstrators cleaned up trash and pasted up posters and banners outside Brotman Hall. A banner hung directly at the entrance to Brotman Hall reads “Refaat Alalil Hall,” after the late Palestinian professor who was killed in Gaza last December. The protesters then headed to the Walter Pyramid. A few protesters, including some wearing safety vests and CFA shirts, remained to rearrange tables, chairs and umbrellas into their original positions and remove temporary wooden planks.
At the time of the protests, Walter Pyramid was hosting the semifinals of the NCAA men's volleyball tournament, which included UCLA vs. UC Irvine and Grand Canyon University vs. CSULB.
UPD and Walter Pyramid security directed ticket holders to bypass the Pyramid's main entrance, which has been blocked by protesters, and use the blue ramp entrance next to the Pyramid parking lot. . Fans leaving the Pyramid were asked to exit through the Pyramid exit adjacent to E. Atherton Street after the UCLA vs. UC Irvine game.
Upon arriving at the Walter Pyramid, protesters ascended the steps and held up large banners erected in the early days of the protests. Members of La FUERZA addressed the crowd from in front of the pyramid steps.
Mitali Jain, president of Associated Students, attended some of the protests but declined to comment.
CSULB President Jane Close Connolly said in a statement to the Daily 49er after the protest: As a place to discuss, debate, and sometimes protest as a form of constitutionally protected expression. Our number one goal is to ensure the safety of this campus community and promote an environment of civility and mutual respect. ”
Long Beach Police Department officers in riot gear were seen on the Walter Pyramid side, across from the softball field, but did not engage protesters. Shortly after 6:50 p.m., the remaining protesters walked back to Brodman Hall.
The protest was scheduled to end at 7 p.m., but many of the demonstrators had dispersed by then. Organizers said they don't have the resources to support a full camp like those at the University of California, Irvine, University of Southern California and University of California, Los Angeles.