Protesters and University of Denver leaders gather for first time since encampment began

DENVER (KDVR) — For the first time since a pro-Palestinian encampment was set up at the University of Denver last week, protesters and school leaders came together to discuss the group’s demands.

“We came to this meeting really wanting to talk about disclosure, it’s really the first step in all of our demands,” said JoJo Carranza, AU student and AU member for Palestine.

The group said it did not get the result it had hoped for.

“Our demands have not been met,” Carranza said.

Rachel Roberts, a Jewish student and another DU member for Palestine, said school leaders reacted the same way whenever they brought up the disclosure of school investments.

“The biggest thing we’re hearing is that it’s complicated, it’s complex,” Roberts said.

Roberts said she and other protesters felt differently.

“It’s actually pretty simple,” Roberts said. “It’s genocide. We stand up for oppressed people, for justice.”

Although the university said Thursday it would allow the camp to continue, protesters say that Saturday night they were threatened by school administration and campus police with a sweep and arrests. could take place if they do not comply with the requests.

“Everyone in the camp had to show identification,” Carranza said.

University of Denver spokesperson Jon Stone responded to FOX31 with this statement:

We did not threaten “sweeps” or use that term. Our objective is to verify, by checking identification documents, that the individuals present in the encampment are DU students, as required by the University. We reminded students of their responsibility to follow the policy regarding the safety and well-being of all students attending camp and across the University.

Unfortunately, we have learned from encampments across the country that this practice is wise in terms of maintaining the safety and ability of camp students to continue to use their voices productively and respectfully. The Honor Code requires students to comply with a “reasonable request” and regularly presenting identification to contribute to a safe environment is a reasonable request.

University of Denver

Protesters said they did not feel safe complying with the request. They said the school agreed to a second meeting but did not have a scheduled date.