They were blocking most traffic in and out of the entrances for a couple weeks at this point.

Last night at like 3am-ish. The local police seem to have brought in reinforcements from the other counties to try and out number the protestors.

https://ca.news.yahoo.com/police-raid-pro-palestine-encampment-151407490.html

One of my roommates was there at the time and got arrested, he isn’t allowed back on campus for a couple weeks without getting arrested again, and finals are in 2 week so he can’t take any in-person finals. Helping him move all his important stuff to his friends house.

At night usually a lot of people leave so the arrests missed most of the protestors. They probably attacked at night because there were less protestors. This morning when the news spread the protest seems to have reformed and is even bigger. Went to checkout the main entrance protest today, its huge now. There must have been like 400 people in just one rally. The entrance is completely blocked this time by barricades.

There really are 2 protests: the bigger Palestine ones and the TA’s and are also joining in on the UAW strike. The Palestine protestors are blocking the main entrance while the TA’s were blocking the side entrance. The TA protest hasn’t reformed (yet) since the raid this morning. The problem for the administration is that TA’s grade home-works, hold sections, and do research. If however many TA’s get arrested the courses are going to start deteriorating.

So I guess my programming assignments won’t be getting graded for a while, and grade are supposed to come out in less than a month. <(。_。)>. Also finals may be pushed online. So far I can confirm at least one of the TA’s in my databases class wasn’t arrested and is still holding section on zoom.

Also a couple days ago this email was sent to the entire school by the admin:

For the safety of the entire UCSC community, demonstrators must leave the main entrance and west entrance roadways. Blocking access to campus is dangerous and unlawful, and is preventing emergency vehicle access and preventing employees and students from leaving and from those who are currently on campus from accessing the childcare center. It is also preventing employees, such as dining workers and custodians, from entering campus for their evening shift. We call on the better judgment of the individuals in the area to deescalate the situation as soon as possible.

I haven’t been able to help as much as I like, but since the protests started I’ve donated a couple blankets and supplies. Will maybe join again after I finish this weeks homework.

Hopefully divestment is successful. Things are probably only going to keep escalating from here.