UWM Students Protest Kamala Harris for Palestine

The shouts of protestors were carried through the cool morning breeze as police officers began taping off more of Maryland Avenue. Above the crowd, the Palestinian flag flew, reaching for the clear blue sky. Protestors wore keffiyehs on their heads and draped over their shoulders as they stood together, calling for a stop to the genocide of the Palestinian people in Gaza. 

Vice President Kamala Harris visited UWM on Thursday, October 17 to speak to business students about the economy at the Lubar Entrepreneurship Center (LEC). This was her first stop out of three that Harris would be making in Wisconsin that day as part of her election campaign. As previously reported by Media Milwaukee, many students received text messages inviting them to RSVP to the event.  

The night before the event, the UWM Popular University for Palestine Coalition posted a flier on Instagram for an emergency protest to take place the next morning outside where Harris would be speaking. Many student protesters didn’t give their last names. 

“There have been several incidents of doxing and harassment from pro-Israel and Zionist groups, so some students do not feel safe revealing their identity,” said the coalition. 

By 9:53a.m., police had taped off access to the LEC and squad cars blocked traffic coming north on Maryland Avenue. Protesters stood in front of the tape, facing the front doors of the building. By 10:28a.m., police had taped off access to Maryland Avenue under the UWM bridge, which prevented more protesters from joining the group in front of the LEC. Even so, more protesters stood on the other side of the tape under the bridge.  

Anatoli was among the protesters standing outside the LEC. He’s from Siberia, Russia, and stated he is out here to show his support for Palestine. When asked what concerns he wants addressed by Harris he had this to say. 

“I got three main things specifically for Kamala,” said Anatoli. “A full arms embargo, call for Israel to completely pull out of occupied Palestine, and then third of all is complete withdraw of any U.S. troops abroad.” 

Many protesters shared his feelings on calling for an arms embargo. Anatoli also had this to say about the Democratic and Republican parties. 

“My personal opinion, and many other people are starting to realize this, is that the Democratic party and the Republican party are two sides to the same coin, and they are the two major parties even though they’re technically a one-party system which is the party of capitalism,” said Anatoli. 

Diana was also among the protesters and held up a sign that read, “Stop warmongering. De-fund genocide,”. She explained her concern of how much U.S. money is going to funding the war in the Middle East.  

“A lot of people are in denial, a lot of people are saying it’s not a genocide, clearly it is,” said Diana. “We have evidence online everywhere. People still have internet in Palestine so they’re posting their evidence out. This is what American money is going to and I’m not about that so I’m here.” 

Diana also gave this message before returning to protest. 

“I would say just like open your eyes,” said Diana. “Don’t be afraid to unlearn things that you were told, and you were taught. The truth is out there don’t be afraid to seek it.” 

Abid was another protester outside LEC, sometimes leading the call and response chants. He explains why they are gathered in protest and why they keep protesting. 

“I’m human, you’re human, alright,” said Abid. “Why we’re here today is not on the purpose of cause I’m Muslim, cause he’s Arab, cause I’m Palestinian, cause he’s not. It’s about the sake of humanity.” 

Abid explains that the coalition has been fighting for an end to the genocide for over a year and still nothing has changed. He explains that the opposition has built up a wall of corruption. Abid says that in order to fight this wall, they have to build up their own, stronger wall to push against the opposition.  

“My motivation is when I see a little kid,” said Abid. “I have little siblings. When I see a little kid in Gaza, I see a little kid in Sudan, I see a little kid in Yemen, I see a little kid in Iraq, I see a little kid in Syria, I see a little kid in China, these Muslim kids as well, I see a little kid in Indonesia, I see a little kid in Malaysia, I see a little kid anywhere in the world who’s suffering in any kind of way, it reminds me of my little siblings. I do not want my little siblings to suffer like that.” 

According to a UWM spokesperson and reported by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, no protesters were arrested. Only one person was cited with disorderly conduct after he confronted Harris inside the LEC.