Pro-Palestinian Sit-In Leads to Rally

By Thomas Dachik

Students gathered outside the Student Services building engaging in organized chants. (Photo by Thomas Dachik)

On Oct. 2, approximately 20 students held a sit-in outside the presidential suite inside the Student Services building protesting the administration's failure to uphold a resolution agreement from last spring.

On May 6, Raise the Consciousness (RTC), a student-organized activism group says they came to an agreement on terms and conditions of the “Purchase Gaza Solidarity Encampment Resolution” with members of the administration, including President Milagros Peña and Vice President of Student Affairs Patricia Bice. RTC claims the administration did not meet their demands listed in this resolution by a mutually agreed deadline of Sept. 30.

In a statement to The Phoenix, RTC states that the “Purchase administration is denying any involvement regarding the resolution.” RTC detailed how they feel their demands “could be met” following the arrests of 68 students and faculty members on May 2.

“These demands were supposed to be met on Sept. 30,” RTC stated. “Until this happens, we will not stop using our voices to protect our civil liberties and demand liberation of all.”

Protesters began sitting on the third floor of the Student Services building at around 12:30 p.m., holding their position until University Police Department (UPD) Chief Dayton Tucker and one other officer arrived at the scene asking to see the identification of the students.

“You guys are violating campus policy,” Tucker said to the students quietly sitting on the floor. “I need you all to leave."

Police Chief Dayton Tucker requested identification from students seated inside the Student Services building. (Photo via @rtcpurch Instagram)

The silent student protesters stated they did not need to show identification, and asked how they were violating campus policy. Tucker did not elaborate.

Following the protesters' refusal to leave, Tucker issued a warning to the protesters that they would be charged with trespassing and began to lock the doors to the presidential offices. The protesters then relocated to outside the Student Services building, where they began chanting loudly in an assembled group.

At around 1 p.m., students began their organized chants for approximately 30 minutes before dispersing. Kirin Lawrence, one of the members of the rally, described his frustration with the situation.

“We’re trying to draw attention to the absurdity of the students' rights violations and freedom of speech policies,” Lawrence said. “Our rights are being violated in a unique way that is directly tied to the oppression of the Palestinian people.”

Tucker refused to provide a comment to The Phoenix.

One student who witnessed the rally, Valentino Scotto DiCesare, expressed dissatisfaction with the protests occurring.

“I just thought it was a little silly,” Scotto DiCesare said. “They decide to pull a theatrical stunt, and act like they are doing something, but it’s really just for their own self-righteousness...I think is a little pathetic."

In a statement to The Phoenix, Peña affirms the rights of students to protest consistent with the campus’s content-neutral time, place, and manner restrictions, which are highlighted in the updated freedom of speech policy. Peña claims she has communicated with students on how to have their concerns addressed.

“I have previously informed students of the [administrative] board’s process for receiving questions and requests to the foundation if they would like to,” Peña wrote. “As a reminder, consistent with the state of New York’s policy, SUNY does not support Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS).”