The Daily Emerald is providing live coverage of the University of Oregon’s pro-Palestine encampment, which began on April 29 at 7 a.m. All of our coverage on the encampment can be found here.
Below is the Emerald’s coverage of May 11 and 12, the second weekend of the encampment.
The second weekend of UO’s pro-Palestine encampment saw a quieter schedule as many of the campers spent time at the Native American Student Union’s 56th annual Mother’s Day Powwow.
Several events, or “field trips,” were structured around the Powwow on May 11 and the Salmon Bake on May 12.
UO Students for Justice in Palestine made an Instagram post asking for “supplies needed,” including bottled water, meals and ice.
“We once again want to say we appreciate all the love and support that people have shown the camp so far. It means the world and has played a vital role in keeping the camp going. Thank you all so much,” the statement reads.
Warm weather made this weekend much the inverse of last weekend, when Eugene saw over two inches of rainfall. This time, temperatures rose to nearly 90 degrees on Saturday as tents sat in the sun on the Memorial Quad.
Salem Younes, a co-leader of the coalition, said that the encampment has no plans to leave anytime soon.
“Nothing’s really changing,” Younes said, “just drinking water, sunscreening up, we’re not going anywhere.”
Read on for live updates as they happened.
Updated May 12, 4:17 p.m.
This afternoon, the UO administration building, Johnson Hall, was chalked with pro-Palestine messaging.
The two main pillars of the building said “ceasefire now”, while the sidewalks said “President Scholz you can’t hide.” The front door handles were scribbled with chalk with a message below the front door reading, “bloody money.”
Around 2:30 p.m. a UOPD police car was seen outside parked on the sidewalk facing Johnson Hall, with another car nearby. It was not made clear the reason for the police presence and whether or not it was connected to the chalk messaging.
Last Wednesday, temperatures in Eugene started to climb and precipitation abruptly stopped. The average daily temperature in the first week of May was about 50 degrees Fahrenheit, but temperatures have hit near 90 degrees this weekend.
Coalition organizer Salem Younes said that the heat has had little effect on the encampment. “Nothing’s really changing,” Younes said, “just drinking water, sunscreening up, we’re not going anywhere.”
Updated May 12, 11:55 a.m.
On the 14th day of the pro-Palestine encampment, the encampment remains quiet and peaceful — as most demonstrators do not appear to be in camp.
Temperatures in Eugene have dropped compared to yesterday with a forecast as high as 80 degrees.
There remains approximately 140 tents.
Organizers of the encampments posted their schedule for the day, including a “NASU Salmon Bake Field Trip” at 12 p.m. and an “Afternoon Prayer Service” at 2:30 p.m.
Today is the third and final day of Mother’s Day Powwow celebrations.
Daily Emerald reporters are on scene and will continue to provide live updates throughout the day.
Updated May 11, 2:38 p.m.
Currently, the encampment remains quiet and peaceful as most participants attend the weekend-long Native American Student Union Mother’s Day Powwow celebrations from 1-3:30 p.m.
The Powwow included traditional dances, such as the Women’s Jingle dance, on Friday night from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Activities today began at 1 p.m. and will end at 11 p.m.
Over 140 tents remain at the encampment.
Organizers of the encampment announced their schedule for the day, including a second “Powwow Field Trip” at 7 p.m. and a Maghrib prayer at 8:20 p.m.
Students for Justice for Palestine made an Instagram post asking for “supplies needed,” including bottled water, meals and ice.
“We once again want to say we appreciate all the love and support that people have shown the camp so far. It means the world and has played a vital role in keeping the camp going. Thank you all so much,” the statement reads.
Temperatures in Eugene have risen quickly in the past few days, with a forecasted high of 88 degrees today.
Updated May 11, 9:05 a.m.
It’s the 13th day of the University of Oregon’s pro-Palestine encampment on the Memorial Quad as the protest nears the end of its second week.
Yesterday saw protesters march through and protest in Johnson Hall, throwing leaflets and papers including “we charge UO w/ genocide.”
The demonstration occurred amid a continued lack of progress in negotiations between student demonstrators and university officials. On May 9, the university’s response to protesters’ demands was rejected by demonstrators. Yesterday, in a statement to the community and in a joint interview with the Daily Emerald and KLCC, UO President John Karl Scholz called for an end to the overnight encampment and indicated the university would not consider protesters’ demands on divestment, academic boycotts of Israeli universities or a statement calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Daily Emerald reporters are on scene and will continue to provide live updates throughout the day.
