UNC's pro-Palestinian encampment enters second day as tents remain deconstructed

Updated April 27 11:25 p.m.:

The "Gaza Solidarity Encampment" on Polk Place at UNC has entered its second day. As of 9:45 a.m. on Saturday, the pro-Palestinian demonstration has remained on UNC grounds for 24 hours. 

The encampment demanding UNC to divest from products supporting Israeli military action and commit to transparency regarding investments has remained relatively quiet throughout the morning. More than 20 tents lay unconstructed on the grass, complying with the UNC administration's stipulations.

It's clear the protesters have no plans of leaving. A march is planned for Sunday at 3 p.m. on Polk Place and a silent vigil is set for Tuesday, UNC's last day of classes, from 12 to 2 p.m. at Wilson Library. 

With temperatures in the mid-50s and cloudy skies, demonstrators milled around the Quad with coffees in hand in the early hours of the day — most bundled in sweaters and jackets. Air mattresses were deflated and sleeping bags, rolled up. 

As the clouds cleared and the sun came out around noon, the protesters gathered. Several people sat in a smaller circle to paint messages on signs made out of cardboard. Others wrote messages in chalk on the brick walkways across Polk Place. 

The encampment has expanded from a single section of grass on Polk Place to several, reaching the flag pole in the center of the Quad. 

According to UNC SJP's Instagram, the organizers have planned several events throughout the day, including workshops and seder hosted by Triangle NC Jewish Voice for Peace.

In a statement posted on Instagram on Saturday, UNC Hillel and North Carolina Hillel announced they have been in communication with UNC administration and security about the encampment.

While students have a right to protest, the organizations said, they should not intimidate Jewish students. 

"Intentionally planned during Passover at the end of the academic year, these encampments are disruptive and deeply problematic, calling for University divestment from Israel," UNC and NC Hillel said. 

Throughout the afternoon, the encampment remained relatively quiet. Duke University professor Frances S. Hasso led a teach-in in the late afternoon. 

Duke and N.C. State students joined the encampment at UNC, creating what UNC SJP called the "Triangle Gaza Solidarity Encampment" on its X account.

"They are here to unite against the genocide happening in Gaza, and to make disclose and divestment demands of their individual universities," UNC SJP said.

At 6 p.m., demonstrators taped a Palestinian flag to the flag pole at the center of Polk Place to cheers from the encampment. 

About an hour and a half later, individuals within the encampment began attaching banners to wooden stakes and hammering them into the ground, lining the perimeter of the Quad.

Several people began chants as they marched around Polk Place at about 7:45 p.m., most holding signs. "Free, free Palestine" and drum beats could be heard across the area. The demonstration was brief, ending before 8 p.m. 

A UNC Police officer entered Carolina Hall at approximately 11 p.m. on Saturday to close and lock the doors. The academic hall automatically locked at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, but demonstrators had kept the doors propped in order to use the space’s bathrooms and outlets to charge devices. The officer told demonstrators to exit the building.

A few minutes later, police also entered the Campus Y to lock the doors. An organizer asked all demonstrators to remove their belongings from the building. The Campus Y had previously offered access to water and restrooms for the demonstrators.

In a statement posted on Instagram, UNC SJP responded to the action by campus police.

"UNC administration is trying to make our encampment unlivable by halting trash collection and blocking access to buildings," the organization said. "This administration-led escalation is occurring alongside constant police presence and targeting intimidation against members of the encampment."

Demonstrators gathered near the flag pole at the center of Polk Place around 11:30 p.m. and chanted “Disclose! Divest! We will not stop, we will not rest!” and "Free, free Palestine." More than 37 hours passed since the encampment began.

Natalie Bradin contributed reporting.

@emmymrtin | university@dailytarheel.com

Emmy Martin

Emmy Martin is the 2023-24 editor-in-chief of The Daily Tar Heel. She has previously served as the DTH's city & state editor and summer managing editor. Emmy is a junior pursuing a double major in journalism and media and information science.