Siemens Hall at California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, has been occupied by pro-Palestinian protesters for a week, leading to the renaming of the building to “Intifada Hall” and significant damage including graffiti and defacing of the campus president’s office. The protesters have taken over the power center of the campus in a more entrenched protest compared to what is typically seen on college campuses. The protests have forced the university to shut down the entire campus until May 10, impacting scheduled commencement activities and causing millions of dollars in damage.
The region around Cal Poly Humboldt has a history of activism and a culture of protest dating back to environmental battles known as the “timber wars” in the 1980s and 1990s. The campus, located among ancient redwoods, has seen a long history of peaceful demonstrations and a general resentment toward authority. The university’s response to the protests has led to a situation where multiple demands made by the protesters remain unmet, causing further tension and prolonging the occupation of the campus buildings.
The presence of pro-Palestinian protesters at Cal Poly Humboldt marks a departure from the region’s typical hippie pacifism and is surprising to many. The demands made by the protesters include disclosures about the school’s holdings with Israel, divestment from companies profiting from military action in Gaza, and calls for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war. The university administration has responded to these demands but tensions continue to escalate as the protesters show no signs of leaving and the university takes a firm stance against what it sees as “lawless behavior.”
The campus president, Tom Jackson Jr., who came to Humboldt from Black Hills State University in South Dakota, has faced criticism for his handling of the protests and other issues on campus. His approach has been described as more distant and hardline compared to previous presidents who engaged with student protesters. The response to the protests from the local community has been mixed, with concerns about the impact on local businesses and potential divisiveness. The protests have also affected local businesses such as the Hotel Arcata, which has seen significant cancellations leading to financial losses.
Protesters at Cal Poly Humboldt initially sought to bring their concerns directly to administrators through a sit-in but escalated their actions due to safety concerns when police in riot gear appeared. The protest has evolved into a more entrenched occupation with barricades, defacement of property, and a tree sit reminiscent of past environmental protests in the region. The university has condemned the protest as “lawless behavior” that harms students, damages the school’s reputation, and drains resources from its educational mission. The situation remains tense as the university contemplates its next steps to address the ongoing protests.
