Day five of ‘Gaza Solidarity Encampment’ at Princeton

The live updates on day four of the sit-in have concluded. Follow live updates of day six here. See previous coverage of days one, two, three, and four.

This story is breaking and will be updated as additional information becomes available.

Day five is set to be the warmest day yet, with a projected high 87 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures are also bound to rise on campus as the sit-in awaits two major administrative body reactions — the final Council of the Princeton University Community (CPUC) meeting of the semester and the release of a statement on the sit-in from the Undergraduate Student Government (USG).

The CPUC is set to meet at 4:30 p.m — they are a body composed of students, faculty, staff, and alumni representatives which meets six times per year. At a previous meeting this semester, pro-Palestine demonstrators used thumbs-up and thumbs-down signs to show their approval/disapproval of a speaker.  

Their meeting will come after an alumna, two graduate students and a postdoc resigned from the CPUC Ad Hoc Committee on Sexual Climate, Culture, and Conduct, condemning the Thursday morning arrests of Achinthya Sivalingam GS and Hassan Sayed GS. Vice President for Campus Life W. Rochelle Calhoun chairs the Ad Hoc Committee on Sexual Climate, Culture, and Conduct. 

Jiya Pandya GS, Camille Borders GS, and Judy Kim, who is a postdoc, resigned in a 10:10 p.m. email, obtained by The Daily Princetonian, to President Christopher Eisgruber ’83, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Students Jarrett Fisher, Dean of the Graduate School Rodney Priestley, Vice President for Campus Life W. Rochelle Calhoun, and other members of the committee. 

They follow the lead of Genevieve Yue ’01, who released a statement on X on Thursday. All resigned members served on the Ad Hoc Committee on Sexual Climate, Culture, and Conduct. 

The USG’s statement is set to be released ahead of the CPUC meeting after a second special meeting of the USG Senate this week voted in favor of a draft statement attributed to U-Councilor Chair Daniel Shaw ’25 and U-Councilor Isabella Shutt ’24, and amended by Senator Samuel Kligman ’26. An amendment by Quentin Colón Roosevelt ’27, which sought to address the arrests of Sivalingam and Sayed, will likely not be included.

Roughly 20 people remain on Cannon Green — April 30, 4:20 a.m.

The first night of the sit-in on Cannon Green, few protesters have actually remained overnight. About 20 people are scattered across the lawn, a much larger space than what was previously occupied in McCosh courtyard. However, blankets and tarps are strewn across the ground, covering much of the grass. Large banner signs at the sit-in read “Popular University for Gaza” and “no peace until decolonization.”

Roughly half a dozen students are currently doing morning prayer.

More arrested protesters identified — April 30, 1:21 a.m.

This evening, protesters identified to the ‘Prince’ that Khari Franklin ’24 and Christian Bischoff ’19 GS were two additional individuals arrested during the occupation of Clio Hall.

Multiple arrested individuals identified — April 29, 11:32 p.m.

Earlier this evening, a protester identified as Ariel Munczek Edelman GS returned to Clio Hall escorted by a PSAFE officer to collect a backpack. Munczek Edelman is one of several arrested protesters the ‘Prince’ has been able to independently identify.

Aditi Rao GS and Sam Nastase, a postdoctoral researcher, who were also arrested, were first identified by Princeton Alumni Weekly (PAW) and were independently verified by the ‘Prince.’ 

Rao has been one of the main organizers throughout the protests.

The ‘Prince’ was able to identify one arrested undergraduate student: Sara Ryave ’24, who was seen at PSAFE and was escorted to her dorm to collect her belongings.

Unclear if arrested protesters have been processed — April 29, 10:55 p.m.

Supporters of the protesters that gathered at 200 Elm Dr., the PSAFE headquarters, appear to have dispersed. According to reporters at the scene, it does not appear that all 13 protesters that were arrested as outlined in Eisgruber’s email have reported to the PSAFE station to be processed.

Protesters respond to Eisgruber statement — April 29, 10:49 p.m.

A marshal for the “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” read President Eisgruber’s recent email to the University community that condemned the occupation of Clio Hall to the sit-in.

“We are peaceful,” the marshal said. “This kind of mischaracterization is a tactic to be able to avoid bargaining. Was there a mention of bargaining in that letter?” he asked protesters.

“We’re going to make sure that President Eisgruber understands that we are here to stay,” he said.

Eisgruber releases statement about Clio Hall occupation – April 29, 10:35 p.m.

In an email to the Princeton University community, President Christopher Eisgruber ’83 wrote that 13 protesters were arrested: five undergraduates, six graduate students, one postdoctoral researcher, and one individual unaffiliated with the University. 

He wrote, “All those arrested received summonses for trespassing and have been barred from campus. The students will also face University discipline, which may extend to suspension or expulsion.”

Marshal calls for peace, organization — April 29, 10:30 p.m.

At approximately 10:05 p.m., a marshal for the sit-in gave a speech to protesters urging them not to destroy property. “We’re not here to take out our personal emotions,” he said.  

“We will not be mischaracterized. We will not be called ‘chaotic,’” he added.

Late dinner served at Cannon Green with McCosh emptied, U. remains silent – April 29, 9:49 p.m.

Protesters seem to be settled for good at Cannon Green, as organizers called for volunteers to help set up and serve food. McCosh Courtyard, where the sit-in was first established on Thursday, has been cleared of almost all materials.

The University has yet to issue a statement to students about the occupation of Clio Hall and resulting arrests.

PSAFE officers arrive to provide escorts to dorms – April 29, 9:09 p.m.

Multiple PSAFE officers have arrived outside 200 Elm Drive to provide escorts to dorms for the arrested students. They have ten minutes to grab any items they need. 

“Alright everyone, camera’s on. Who wants to go first?” an officer told them.

Two other protesters just arrived at PSAFE to deliver phone banks to charge the phones of the arrested. An arrested protester announced they would be barred from campus upon disembarking from the bus.

‘Mic Check: Move everything over’ to Cannon Green – April 29, 8:54 p.m.

An organizer at McCosh Courtyard told everyone to “move everything over” to Cannon Green. As of 8:52 p.m., numbers have dwindled in the area.

At Cannon Green, it was announced that everything will be moved over to this site. PSAFE is stationed around the perimeter, but not in Cannon Green. Medical supplies and food are being sent over with dinner being served.

Undergraduate detained by PSAFE, taken to 200 Elm, and transported to hospital — April 29, 8:27 p.m.

The individual arrested on Whig Hall's steps has been confirmed as David Piegaro ’25. He was arrested by PSAFE officers and was taken into a side entrance of PSAFE with his hands zip-tied. Piegaro is an economics major and Army intel veteran according to his profile on X. Within the same hour of his arrest, Piegaro posted a video of Pro-Palestinian protesters in front of Clio Hall. He did not participate in the sit-in

Shortly after his arrival, paramedics arrived at the station. After convening inside, he was escorted out and taken to the hospital.

The ‘Prince’ has yet to be able to identify other arrested individuals.

Secondary sit-in settles on Cannon Green, outnumbering McCosh Courtyard – April 29, 8:15 p.m.

The steps of Clio Hall have cleared, as around 250 protesters have settled on Cannon Green. Meanwhile dinner is being served to around 100 individuals who remain at the original sit-in location, which was established in McCosh courtyard in the early morning on Thursday.

Organizers have begun to move blankets and medical supplies east from McCosh Courtyard to Cannon Green. They instructed protesters to “make sure there are also always people [at Cannon Green].”

“We are making a more beautiful camp, and we will stay until our fucking demands are met,” said a demonstrater on Cannon Green.

An additional arrest outside front of Whig Hall – April 29, 8:03 p.m.

An individual who was not participating in the main protest has been arrested outside of Whig Hall, a similar looking building located just east of Clio Hall. He arrived at 200 Elm Drive at 8:03 p.m. It is unclear whether the individual arrested was involved in counter protests. He was called an ”outside agitator” by Max Weiss, an associate professor of history.

Witnesses say that the arrested individual was reportedly pushed down the stairs and was seen handcuffed while face-down on the ground at the front of the building. The annual Whig-Clio senior roast event was scheduled to begin in the Whig Hall Senate Chamber at 8 p.m.

All arrested students inside Clio Hall allowed out – April 29, 7:49 p.m.

There are believed to be no more protesters inside of Clio Hall.

Jarrett Fisher, the associate dean of undergraduates and director of student agencies, and Ian Deas, the associate dean of undergraduate students and director of student leadership and engagement, have left the building with PSAFE.

One student detained on bus turns up outside of PSAFE before 7:30 p.m. deadline, other student has yet to show – April 29, 7:39 p.m.

One of the students detained on the TigerTransit bus from 6:15 p.m. to 6:52 p.m. is currently outside of the PSAFE building. The other student has not yet arrived.

At Clio Hall, PSAFE has been ordered to station themselves around Cannon Green and has since moved to surround Whig Hall. 

Four more arrested individuals held inside Clio allowed out – April 29, 7:31 p.m.

Four more of the demonstrators held inside of Clio Hall have been allowed out of the building and have exited the front of the building. 

Three arrested individuals held inside building allowed out — April 29, 7:18 p.m.

Three of the demonstrators held inside of Clio Hall have been allowed out of the building and have exited the front of the building. There are believed to be at least eight protesters still inside the building.

Protesters position for possibility of additional arrests — April 29, 7:16 p.m.

A protest marshal present at the back of the building warned organizers to disperse “if you are not in yellow or red.” According to the sit-in planning documents, leaked by the National Review on Wednesday, “yellow” refers to people willing to support the arrested while “red” refers to people who are willing to be arrested if necessary.

Demonstrators in the front of the building have begun linking arms. They were told instructions by a chant leader, who urged them to “stay put.”  

“We’re here to support Princeton University,” Princeton Police Chief Jon Bucchere said about the presence of town police in an interview with the ‘Prince.’

PSAFE blocks doors to Clio Hall, locks headquarters — April 29, 7:07 p.m.

It is believed that at least 11 arrested students remain inside of Clio Hall. PSAFE temporarily blocked the front and back doors, preventing entry or exit from the building. Doorways remain contested between authorities and protesters.

Around 75 protesters remain crowded on Clio’s front steps, chanting “hold your ground” in response to requests from Weiss and others to clear the area. At the back entryway, a smaller group of protesters have linked arms to prevent passage.

Further south on campus, 200 Elm Drive, the PSAFE headquarters, has been locked to the public.

‘You just successfully de-arrested us,’ student removed from bus says — April 29, 6:52 p.m.

The two students who have been detained on the TigerTransit bus since 6:15 p.m. were allowed out, to celebratory cries from protesters. 

“You just successfully de-arrested us,” said one of the students upon their release. Protesters at the back of the bus have said that the charges prompting the arrest will not be pursued. The ‘Prince’ was unable to verify this claim.

According to PSAFE authorities present on the scene, PSAFE intends to escort the two detained students from campus. They will be taken to their dormitories where they will have five minutes to collect belongings. They will have until 7:30 p.m. to turn in at the PSAFE office.

PSAFE official says if everyone outside bus moves, all arrested will be temporarily released — April 29, 6:41 p.m.

Kenneth Strother, assistant vice president for public safety told people outside the bus that if everyone moves, everyone inside will be temporarily released, but will later be summoned. If not, they said that the Princeton Police Department will begin arrests.

Protesters arrested, at least 11 believed to remain inside and two on bus — April 29, 6:26 p.m.

According to multiple protesters, at least 13 people have been arrested in the Clio Hall area, with at least 11 of the arrested reportedly still inside. Only two of the arrested have been detained on the TigerTransit bus. Four police vehicles from the municipality of Princeton have arrived at the scene, in addition to two unmarked white SUVs.

Associate Professor of History Max Weiss, who spoke at the McCosh sit-in on Thursday, instructed protesters blocking the bus to disperse. Weiss is also the first signatory of an open letter from “Faculty for Justice in Palestine,” published in The Daily Princetonian.

At least two students detained by Clio Hall, moved into TigerTransit bus  — April 29, 6:15 p.m.

Around 6:05 p.m., PSAFE removed an arrested student from Clio Hall, escorting them to a TigerTransit bus parked on Elm Drive to the side of the building. According to reports, at least one additional student has been arrested and is being detained on the bus. A large group of protesters gathered in front of the bus, blocking its path and chanting “let them go.” PSAFE has also placed cones around the building. The bus has been honking, but demonstrators have not cleared.

A Palestinian flag and a red keffiyeh are hanging from windows on the West side of Clio Hall. According to organizers, people remain inside the building.

Eisgruber warns group calling for University to divest that they will be removed from building — April 29, 5:42 p.m.

At the CPUC meeting, an undergraduate student leader of Natives at Princeton took the microphone calling on the University to divest. Eisgruber made a warning that PSAFE will remove them from the building. Students left the meeting after PSAFE Associate Director of Support Services Duncan Harrison threatened arrest. 

Earlier, a resolution to ban video recordings of CPUC meetings was deferred. Many were able to get videos of the student demonstration. 

Two professors at the CPUC meeting asked how consensus regarding divestment is going to be measured to snaps of approval from the crowd. Chair of the Resource Committee and Professor of Chemistry John Groves responded, referencing the divestment from fossil fuels that the students voted upwards of 80 percent to support, which he claimed showed a clear indication of consensus. 

“I think the committee has the sense that we know it when we see it,” Groves added.

Eisgruber added that the committee receives proposals and acknowledges their receipt within a “relatively short time” but pointed out that they only received inquiries about divestment today.

Students, faculty inside the building told they will be arrested if they stay past 5:30 p.m. — April 29, 5:29 p.m.

Kenneth Strother, the assistant vice president for public safety, told people inside the building that they would be arrested at 5:30 p.m. if they remained, regardless of whether or not they were students or faculty.

Protesters outside the front of the building announced that there is no air conditioning inside. A few minutes later, protesters at the front of the building moved towards the side of with the rest of the crowd.

Earlier, outgoing Dean of the College Jill Dolan and Calhoun walked out of the CPUC meeting. There is an increased PSAFE presence outside the meeting. The CPUC Parliamentarian has just been shown a screenshot of the sit-in in Clio Hall.

Protesters enter Clio Hall, moving sit-in to building — April 29, 5:23 p.m.

Multiple students and Ruha Benjamin, a professor of African American studies, entered Clio Hall to begin a sit-in “until the student demands are met,” Max Weiss, an associate professor of history, told the crowd of people gathered outside the front of the building. Another group congregated at the back door. Protesters were chanting from both the front and back of the building.

Weiss announced that there are 14 students and postdocs inside as well as Benjamin, who is the only faculty member inside.

Around 200 protesters are present, with the majority behind Clio Hall. A list of demands was read at approximately 5 p.m. in both the back and front of Clio. 

The remaining students are in front of Clio, blocking access to the door.

“Disclose, divest, we will not stop, we will not rest,” protesters chanted from the front of Clio Hall. The group read off their list of demands.

Standing outside the front door of Clio, Vice President for Campus Life Rochelle Calhoun declined to comment to the ‘Prince.’

The front of Clio is currently locked. 

The back of Clio is currently blocked off by PSAFE but has been opened periodically to let out administrators. PSAFE has been guiding them out of the doors.

The University did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

CPUC meeting set to begin as sit-in organizers request boycott — April 29, 4:20 p.m.

Ahead of the 4:30 p.m. Council of the Princeton University Community (CPUC) meeting, various student organizations’ group chats shared that the sit-in organizers requested that people boycott the CPUC meeting in line with their request for the boycott of all University events. 

The requests added that if people do decide to attend, they do so as individuals, not groups, to increase the likelihood of being called on for questions. 

The agenda of the meeting will include a fifteen-minute question and answer period to questions submitted via email before noon Friday, April 26.

After this, a vote will take place on an amendment to the Resolution on the Order of Business adopted in September 2023 to add a recording policy for CPUC meetings. 

An Update from the Ad Hoc Committee on Sexual Climate is also on the agenda, despite two graduate students and a postdoc resigning from the committee. 

The meeting will conclude with presentations from both the USG and GSG presidents. Both the USG and GSG recently released statements on the ongoing sit-in. 

At 4:02 p.m., GSG released a statement via email “writing to affirm [their] support of all students and to help provide transparency to this situation.” 

Yesterday, USG released a statement on their website, writing that “we call upon the University to publicly reaffirm the right to speak and peaceably assemble.”

Over a dozen protesters left the McCosh courtyard and headed south towards Frist Campus Center, where the meeting will be held.

Counter protesters return, speakers continue — April 29, 4 p.m.

At about 2:15 p.m., a group of counter protesters holding signs displaying the faces of Israeli hostages entered McCosh Courtyard and stood behind the white barricades at the south end of the courtyard. According to the BBC, about 130 hostages kidnapped by Hamas on Oct. 7 remained unaccounted for as of April 6, 2024. 

The presence of these counter protesters prompted a back-and-forth with protesters at the sit-in. The protesters began singing phrases that included “free, free Palestine” and “we are all Palestinians.” Counter protesters responded with shouts that included, “you should be ashamed of yourselves,” “let my people go,” and “free the hostages.”

The counter protesters remained for roughly an hour before dispersing. 

Around 3 p.m., a member of the American Muslims for Palestine group gave a talk about oppression in Gaza and criticized Zionism, saying that “the Zionist narrative is not intended to have factual and logical conversation.” The American Muslims for Palestine, according to their website, is a group that aims to educate Americans about Palestine.

“Everyone who’s been here will have seen that there have been folks that come and hold up pictures of people who are held hostage by Hamas, and they talk to us like we don’t know — we know,” Zia Mian, the co-director of the Program in Science and Global Security, said to the crowd just before 4 p.m. “And they talk to us as if we don’t care. What we need to have them understand is that we love their children and we love the children of Palestine because we believe that everybody, every child, has the right to be free of fear, despair, and suffering.”

“It’s not that we don’t care [about] them, their children — we want everybody to care about everybody’s children,” he added.

There have been flyers circulating throughout residential college halls with the “Princeton Gaza Solidarity Encampment” demands. Two have been seen in Joline Hall. 

Earlier today, Northwestern University and student protesters reached an agreement. The organizers of the encampment, the Northwestern Divestment Coalition, have agreed to having only one aid tent. The protesters are permitted to gather until June 1. Unless authorized by the University, only students, faculty, and staff are permitted to be in the area of the protest.

Counter protesters lead to agitation — April 29, 1:43 p.m.

At about 11:55 a.m., three counter protesters approached the McCosh courtyard, beginning chants of “Free the hostages” and “Where are your hostage signs?” The counter protesters prompted chants from the sit-in of “We will not stop, we will not rest, disclose, divest.” A free speech facilitator who declined to identify herself to the ‘Prince’ instructed the three counter protesters to move behind the white barricades at the south end of the McCosh courtyard.

One of the counter-protesters, Barbara Majeski, a TV personality living in Princeton, told the ‘Prince’ in an interview that she believes the University should arrest every protester who has chanted “From the river to the sea.” 

Majeski said the chants should not be protected under the University’s Free Speech Policy. She told the ‘Prince’ that she told PSAFE she felt threatened by signs at the sit-in, requesting that they take them down. 

PSAFE said that they are not authorized to take down signs following her repeated requests.

“I mean, I’m really surprised that they’re still here and that they’re allowed to be here. I don’t understand why they’re permitted to be here,” another counter protester, Hannah Kaufmann, told the ‘Prince’ in an interview.

The counter protesters remained near the courtyard until about 1:30 p.m.

First speaker of the day — April 29, 11:38 a.m.

The “Popular University for Gaza” has hosted their first lecture of the day. Sami Shaban, who is on the Board of Directors for the Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University, addressed the crowd of approximately 25 people. Shaban is a civic organizer in New Jersey who is working on the drive to vote “uncommitted” in the Democratic presidential primary as a protest of President Joe Biden’s response to the war in Gaza. 

Shaban discussed his family history, saying, “My story doesn’t start with October 7, as many people would love to start narratives. My story starts hundreds of years ago.” His father moved to Gaza as a refugee in 1948 and his mother was born in Gaza. Shaban said that 35 members of his family have been killed in Gaza as a result of the ongoing war there.

Regarding the sit-in, Shaban said, “All of our brown and Black brothers and sisters from around the world, everyone who’s ever faced this type of execution style, persecution, this type of complete annihilation, over 1 million people refugees — so you’re standing on those shoulders.”

“You’re gonna be able to tell your kids about when you stood on the campus of Princeton and refused to back down despite the risk of arrest, expulsion, or any other thing that they’re throwing into your face,” he added. “Cornel West has been arrested God knows how many times. Martin Luther King, Malcolm X — people of justice and truth don’t worry about getting arrested or things like that, because the fight is bigger than themselves.”

Shaban also called for “truth and equality for Jewish and Muslim people alike,” and concluded by saying, “I pray that this only yields even … more success than you can ever imagine.” 

Temperatures have reached 78 degrees under a cloudless sky with the heat expected to swell into the afternoon, marking the warmest day of the sit-in yet. Organizers have been cleaning the sit-in site all morning and drying items made wet from last night’s rain.

Morning, post-rain clean-up to start the day — April 29, 8:06 a.m. 

By 6:15 a.m., the sit-in began to stir. An organizer called a “mic check” — a now frequent call for announcements — and greeted the demonstrators with a “good morning.” Shortly afterwards, the approximately 15 organizers on-site started to collaboratively clean up the grounds — with a concerted effort on drying surfaces and supplies after the night’s rain. In contrast, the sidewalks lining Washington Road and Prospect Avenue are still littered, left in the aftermath of yesterday’s Lawnparties.

Two University Facilities workers came by the courtyard with a large wheeled dumpster. Organizers have been carrying their trash bags to the University’s trash pick-up spot between the courtyard and Murray Dodge. This morning, the facilities’ workers picked up the few bags left laying around, and began to replace the liners of the sit-in’s trash bins along the perimeter. 

Community members also started to trickle in with fresh breakfast supplies. Asad Baig of West Windsor arrived at the sit-in with Wawa coffee, cups, and creamer.  

“That’s the least we can do,” Baig told the ‘Prince.’ He heard about Princeton’s sit-in from national media. “No one in this country really cares … they do.”

PSAFE officers have come and went through the morning, as well. As of 5:30 a.m. this morning, there has been a notable increase in their presence. At any time, six to eight PSAFE officers have been on site. There has also been an increased presence of PSAFE vehicles parked on Chapel Drive next to Murray Dodge, as well as Cannon Green.

This story is breaking and will be updated as further information becomes available.

Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.

Editor’s note: This piece has been updated to clarify that Calhoun chairs the Ad Hoc Committee on Sexual Climate, Culture, and Conduct.

Correction: This piece previously misattributed a quote to Professor Zahid Chaudhary. The quote in fact belongs to Zia Mian. The ‘Prince’ regrets this error.