Tens of Thousands of University of California Workers Support Student Protest Against Israeli Actions

In response to the suppression of a peaceful sit-in by University of California students, tens of thousands of university employees across the state are threatening to strike in solidarity with the students protesting in support of Palestine.

The California State University workforce, comprising 48,000 employees across 11 campuses, has issued a statement declaring their intention to launch a statewide strike if the detained students, lecturers, and staff are not released from custody. Additionally, they demand that the university divests from companies with ties to the Israeli government.

The recent police crackdown on student protests against Israeli violence has led to the arrest and alleged mistreatment of 50 academics, lecturers, and university staff over the past 24 hours. These individuals were participating in peaceful demonstrations at the University of California, highlighting what they describe as atrocities committed by the Israeli regime against Palestinian civilians.

The protests, initially sparked at Columbia University in New York, have now spread to other prestigious institutions, including Yale, New York University, Harvard, the University of Texas, and the University of Southern California. This wave of demonstrations has also reached universities across other Western countries, such as France, Germany, Canada, England, and Australia, despite facing significant opposition from various authorities.

The situation continues to develop as university workers and students alike rally for the release of detainees and call for ethical investment practices, positioning the University of California at the forefront of a growing international movement advocating for Palestinian rights.