Rep. Baldeh's Statement on the Protest Encampment at UW Madison

May 2, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Rep. Samba Baldeh

PHONE: (608) 266-0960

Rep. Baldeh’s Statement on the Protest Encampment at UW-Madison

“Across the nation this week, institutions of higher education initiated police action against encampments by students protesting Israel’s military actions and civilian casualties in Gaza, where the death toll now exceeds 30,000. This is no abstract number. More than 30,000 people have lost their lives. People in our community and students at the UW have connections in Gaza and see their own identities in the victims of this violence.

UW-Madison students set up tents on Library Mall beginning on Monday, April 29. Police moved in to remove those tents yesterday – May 1. At issue is a state statute that prohibits camping outside of specifically designated areas where it is permitted. University administrators as well as members of the general public emphasize that protestors must not break the law, and the campground is illegal.

Society cannot function if there is no rule of law. Yet at times we must consider the degree of the infraction. Students certainly contrast concern with breaking a camping law against the scale of the violence experienced by the people of Gaza. From that angle, the concern with the camping law hardly seems paramount. Each person has to deliberate for themselves when it comes to civil disobedience. However those of us in positions of authority should also consider the message we send when we move against peaceful protest.”

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02 May 2024