BERKELEY, Calif. (KRON) – A day after the Pro-Palestine encampment was cleared at UC Berkeley, protests continued in the city.
On Wednesday, a new protest for the same cause began at Anna Head complex, which is a boarded-up building next to People’s Park. Cal officials say Wednesday’s protest was not initiated by the protesters who left Sproul Plaza.
A group of protestors broke into the Anna Head building. University officials say they are aware of the vandalism that is happening here at this “unsafe, boarded-up, fire-damaged building” two blocks from campus.
Demonstrators refused to do an interview with NewsNation affiliate KRON4 but did announce a list of four demands.
“One, to end the occupation from People’s Park to Palestine. Two, full divestment, permanent from direct and indirect holdings. Three, abolish UCPD on campus. Four, amnesty for all political prisoners and pro-Palestine protestors,” a demonstrator said.
Protesters set up tents, hung Palestinian flags, and even spray-painted the sidewalks and parts of the building. After listing demands, protestors said they did not want any cops to be on the property. They then started putting up tarps and banners so no one could see the tents and people on the grass.
It’s unclear if these are Cal students or even Berkeley residents.
This protest falls on the 55th anniversary of People’s Park, which is being turned into new housing for students and low-income residents. It’s been closed and blocked off since January, which has since sparked many protests.
Nicholas Alexander says he was there the first day the park closed, but he became visibly upset at the presence of these protestors.
“None of these folks I’ve seen in the local community,” he said. “It seems like they are just here to just get attention, frankly. I don’t know why I haven’t seen them before when I was chased by SWAT up into my tree house.”
A Cal alumnus walking by says he sees no problem with people protesting on vacant land.
“It’s like why shouldn’t they be able to take that space if it’s out of the way? It’s not causing traffic, why shouldn’t they protest here?” the man said.
Protestors would not say how long they plan to occupy this building. As of this report, campus police have been taking pictures and monitoring the situation.