MERCED, Calif. (KMJ/KFSN) — Protestors disrupt board of regents meeting at UC Merced, removed from room by officers
Tensions are starting to rise as pro-Palestine protestors disrupted a board of regents meeting at UC Merced on Wednesday.
The UC Board of Regents has been meeting on campus to discuss investments and how it plans to maintain funds long-term.
Ahead of the board’s visit, a group of protestors set up an encampment on campus, calling on the UC system to divest from any companies based in Israel or benefiting from the war in Gaza.
The UC opposes divestment.
At several points during Wednesday’s meeting, demonstrators in the audience were heard yelling over board members as they were speaking.
After a final warning, the board asked officers from the California Highway Patrol to remove the students from the room.
“I hereby request that the appropriate police officer make a declaration of unlawful assembly and clear the room,” said a board member.
As board members left the room, students continued to yell and chant, with one protestor adding, ‘We will not stop until you divest.’
The disruption from the audience caused the board to call a recess for the meeting, which is expected to resume sometime after the room has been cleared.
The three-day meeting for the board of regents on campus is expected to finish up on Thursday.
