New signs and a barricade have appeared around the pro-Palestinian encampment occupying Pomona College‘s commencement stage days before the ceremony.
Large banners that read “The people campus for Palestine” and the Palestinian flag hung from the supports of the commencement stage Thursday, May 9. Commencement activities begin Friday and conclude Sunday.
The group organizing the student protest against Israel’s offensive in Gaza, Pomona Divestment from Apartheid, added on to the barricades around the encampment with chicken wire and wooden pallets being used as a makeshift inner wall.
Students were hard at work Thursday afternoon hammering away at additional security measures around the encampment, which began Monday morning, about a month after a previous encampment was dismantled by officials and led to the arrest of 20 students after they took over an administration building.
Calls for more barricade materials went out on the group’s social media page as students Thursday hauled in everything from metal bed frames to steel fencing to add to a growing defense line for the encampment.
The encampment barricades appeared to be increasing in size with the students moving toward the steps of Bridges Hall, claiming further space in Marston Quad.
Anwar Mohamed, a Pomona College junior and representative for PDfA, said the group is prepared to stay as long as it takes for the college to cut financial ties with Israel or companies that support its operations in Gaza.
“Students are here for however long is necessary and will call for divestment at every possible opportunity,” Mohamed said. “Whatever the school may throw at us we will still be shouting ‘divestment now, full disclosure and condemn the apartheid regime.’ ”
Also Thursday, two civil rights groups announced they filed federal complaints against Pomona College in Claremont and Occidental College in Los Angeles for permitting “severe discrimination and harassment of Jewish students.”
Students questioned at the encampment Thursday did not respond to the complaint but reiterated their support for Palestinians.
According to Mohamed, a fire official visited the encampment Thursday, took pictures and left without explaining their actions.
Meanwhile, Pomona College appeared to have hired additional security Thursday, with guards stationed a few yards away from the encampment.
Protesters said Thursday the guards had only observed students. There were no signs midday Thursday the guards were denying people entrance to the encampment.
Mohamed said college leadership has not made any recent attempts to communicate directly with the protesters beyond sending an email earlier in the month about safety concerns.
According to Mohamed, the college cut power not only to the string lights hung for the commencement area but also to the pathway lights on the surrounding walkways to Marston Quad.
“Students are continuing to shut down business as usual until there is a response from the university,” Mohamed said. “If you divest, we leave. We are here for a specific goal.”
Thursday afternoon, Pomona College officials issued a statement about commencement but did not elaborate on the encampment or the student group’s demands.
“We are committed to holding commencement to honor the Class of 2024, with their loved ones, and preparations are continuing,” the statement reads.
Any updates on commencement, the statement notes, will be shared at www.pomona.edu/commencement.
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This is a developing story. Check back for updates.