Public Project
Speakout Against UWPD and Weapons Manufacturers on Campus
Summary
Photos from a peaceful protest at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
University of Wisconsin
Madison, WI
Today a small but vocal and committed group from several activist organizations in Madison—Mecha De UW-Madison, Madison for Palestine, and Students for Justice in Palestine-UW Madison—gathered in front of Engineering Hall on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus to speak out and protest against the College of Engineering's ties to BAE Systems, Caterpillar, and General Dynamics, who manufacture chemicals, equipment, and weapons being used in places around the world to oppress those who speak out in the name of democracy, freedom, and human rights.
In addition, this protest was to call attention to the thuggery of the University of Wisconsin-Madison police department's hostile treatment of peaceful protesters at a career fair hosted by the College of Engineering on February 13th, where at least three individuals were assaulted, one being pushed brutally to the ground, while another was forcibly arrested. This show of force by the police has prompted demands from students and the community for answers from the university as to why the police chose to escalate a peaceful protest, and a call for the firing of officer Adam Boardman who responsible for shoving the protester to the ground.
On hand today representing the University were Christina Olstad, Dean of Students, and Argyle Wade, Chief of Staff for the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Neither engaged with the protesters despite attempts from the group to engage with Olstad and Wade. Calls were made for University Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin; Lori Reesor, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs; LaVar Charleston, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer; and, Olstad and Wade to all resign.
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