The President of Sonoma State University is agreeing to several demands from pro-Palestinian protesters. A letter was released by President of SSU Mike Lee in which he calls for a ceasefire in Gaza and condemns all acts of genocide and ethnic cleansing along with racisim and antisemitism. He also says SSU will review all of its foundation investments and that the university will not participate in any study abroad programs connected with the Israeli state. Sonoma State will also start teaching Palestinian Studies beginning this fall. Finally, an Advisory Council of Students for Justice in Palestine or SJP will be established to oversee all SSU agreements.
Meanwhile, encampments at two Bay Area colleges are coming down. Students put them up in protest over the Middle East War in Gaza between Israel and Hamas. UC Berkeley’s chancellor says she’s relieved they reached an agreement to bring the protest to a peaceful end. The same outcome happened at San Francisco State University. But at last check, students at San Jose State are still in tents. They were given until last night to clear out but refuse to leave.
