In a show of solidarity with the people of Gaza, pro-Palestine demonstrations intensified on college campuses across San Diego. UC San Diego (UCSD) witnessed the formation of an encampment, while students at the University of San Diego (USD) walked out of class for a memorial honoring those killed in Gaza. The events took place on Wednesday afternoon.

The USD student memorial was held at the Paseo De Colachis plaza, while the UCSD encampment emerged on Library Walk outside Geisel Library. According to The UCSD Guardian, the campus newspaper, the police gathered around the encampment approximately 20 minutes after its formation. So far, both demonstrations appeared peaceful, with the USD vigil concluding around 2 p.m.

These protests come on the heels of a walkout staged by hundreds of San Diego State University students, who called on the administration to sever financial ties with Israel and provide better support for Palestinian members of the campus community. These actions are part of a larger movement among college campuses nationwide, condemning the conflict in Gaza and U.S. involvement in the war. Protesters demand divestment from Israel and denounce what they describe as an ongoing genocide.

Organized by Students for Justice in Palestine at UC San Diego, the encampment made specific demands in an Instagram post. They called on the university administration to acknowledge the rights of Palestinians to life and safety, support an immediate cease-fire, and sever all institutional ties with Israel, both financial and academic. They specifically highlighted the need to end research partnerships with the Israeli Defense Ministry, the U.S. Department of Defense, and private defense contractors.

On the other hand, the organizers of the USD demonstration did not make specific demands, stating that Wednesday's action served as a way to remember the lives lost in Gaza.

UCSD Chancellor Pradeep Khosla recognized that the encampment violated campus policies and cautioned that it may face sanctions such as suspension, dismissal, or legal action. However, he reiterated the university's support for peaceful protests and freedom of expression. Khosla emphasized the importance of maintaining a safe and inclusive campus environment, urging all community members to treat each other with dignity and respect.

FOX 5/KUSI reached out to the USD administration for comment on the protest, but their response has not yet been reported.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrations at college campuses have become a focal point of controversy surrounding U.S. involvement in the conflict. These rallies have faced crackdowns by local law enforcement and university administrators nationwide, resulting in over 1,000 arrests. The movement began with an encampment at Columbia University on April 17, reminiscent of significant protests against segregation, the Vietnam War, and South African apartheid. Similar encampments sprouted up at various universities across California, including UC Irvine, UC Berkeley, Stanford University, Sonoma State, and the University of Southern California.

Opponents of these protests, including many Jewish students and alumni, argue that they often exhibit signs of anti-Semitism, causing fear among pro-Israel members of the campus community.

As the demonstrations unfold, the death toll in Gaza continues to rise, surpassing 34,000 people, most of whom are civilians, according to the United Nations. The region faces a severe humanitarian crisis, with parts of Gaza teetering on the brink of famine. Meanwhile, at least 1,200 Israelis have lost their lives, predominantly civilians, with the recent Israeli military incursion on October 7 leading to the deaths of over 100 hostages who remain in Gaza.