Pro-Palestinian Protesters Occupy Siemens Hall at Cal Poly Humboldt, Sparking Campus Standoff
In a bold and unprecedented move, pro-Palestinian protesters have taken over Siemens Hall at California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, sparking a campus-wide standoff that has left university administrators scrambling for a resolution.
The protesters, who have barricaded themselves inside the building for over a week, have renamed it “Intifada Hall” and defaced the walls with graffiti messages such as “Time 2 Free Gaza” and “Pigs Not Allowed.” They have occupied the campus president’s office, spray-painting messages like “Blood On Your Hands” and “I Will Live Free or Die Trying.”
The occupation has forced the university to shut down the entire campus, disrupting classes and activities for thousands of students. The protesters have set up tents outside Siemens Hall and taken over a second building for meetings and bathroom use, causing millions of dollars in damage, according to university officials.
The standoff at Cal Poly Humboldt, located in the picturesque town of Arcata among the ancient redwoods of Northern California, has shocked many in the community, known for its hippie pacifism and environmental activism. However, beneath the serene surface, a culture of protest and resentment toward authority has been brewing on the 6,000-student campus.
The protesters have made several demands, including that the university disclose its ties with Israel, divest from companies profiting from military action in Gaza, and drop charges against three students arrested on the first night of the occupation. They also want the university to call for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas conflict, which has claimed the lives of over 34,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza health ministry.
University officials have attempted to negotiate with the protesters, disclosing the school’s holdings and collaborations with Israel. However, as tensions escalate, the university has warned that the protests are “lawless behavior” that harm students and drain resources from the school’s educational mission.
Despite the university’s attempts to resolve the situation peacefully, the protesters remain defiant, vowing to continue their occupation until their demands are met. As the standoff continues, the community is divided, with some supporting the protesters’ cause while others worry about the impact on local businesses and the upcoming commencement ceremony.
The protesters have reinforced their barricades and even installed a “tree sit” in a redwood near the campus quad, signaling their commitment to a long-term occupation. With tensions running high and the possibility of police intervention looming, the standoff at Cal Poly Humboldt shows no signs of resolution anytime soon.
As the nation watches, the fate of Siemens Hall and the future of campus protests hang in the balance at California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt.
