AMHERST — Police have arrested about three dozen protesters since Tuesday in connection with a sit-in demonstration on the University of Massachusetts campus.
Nineteen protesters were arrested Wednesday night. So far, 34 protesters have been charged with trespassing when they refused to leave Whitmore Hall at its 6 p.m. closing time. Protesters have occupied the building — which houses the university’s administration offices — since Tuesday. Divest UMass, a student group organizing the demonstration, is calling for the university system to abandon its investment in fossil fuel companies.
In response, University President Martin Meehan and board of trustees President Victor Woolridge pledged to “advocate for a policy that would see the five-campus UMass system divest” at upcoming meetings of the foundation that controls the university’s $770 million endowment, according to a statement.
Five volunteers from Divest UMass drove to the UMass Police Department to post bail for the 19 arrested protesters Wednesday night. The group is using a GoFundMe account to raise bail money for protesters. As of Thursday evening, the page raised $2,627.
“This doesn’t have to happen if (university officials) stand on the right side of history with us,” Filipe Carvalho, Divest UMass spokesman said Thursday. “We want to praise officials for wanting to support us, and we firmly believe and are confident that (UMass) will be the first public university to divest from fossil fuels.”
All protesters pleaded not guilty in Eastern Hampshire District Court Wednesday and Thursday and had their cases continued for four months while they complete community service in lieu of monthly probation costs, according to the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office.
Each of the cases will be dropped provided each person complete the necessary service hours.
As part of the probation conditions, the protesters who were charged must stay clear of Whitmore Hall, according to the district attorney’s office.
On Thursday in court, Judge Jacklyn Connly addressed the 19 protesters — at least 14 of whom are UMass students — in court.
“You’re aware I don’t have to accept this, right?” she told them. Instead, she added, she could rule that the protesters receive the maximum sentence allowed by law for trespassing which is 30 days in jail.
“And that can be imposed while you’re all in school, preparing for your finals,” Connly said. “So think about that while you’re doing your community service.”
That afternoon, 75 people occupied the Whitmore building, lining the hallway to the chancellor’s office. Many sat quietly using laptops while others snacked on doughnuts and other goods donated to the protesters.
Before protesters join the sit-in, they undergo training from Divest UMass volunteers. Protesters signify they have undergone training by drawing black X’s on their hands, and supporters wear pieces of orange felt pinned to their clothing. Protesters who pledge to risk arrest undergo further training to better understand their legal rights and university policy related to picketing and student conduct.
Divest UMass spokesman Carvalho said national networks such as the Divestment Student Network have pledged support to the group as well.
Meanwhile, Divest UMass has not begun formal negotiations with university leaders, but Carvalho said they intend to. Organizers said the sit-in will continue all day Thursday and wrap up with a rally at 6 p.m.
An estimated 20 to 25 protesters will remain in the building and risk arrest if Divest UMass organizers feel their demands are not met, Carvalho said.
“We’re going to continue to escalate until we get what we want,” he added. “And we’re going to demonstrate our power as we’ve done the past three days.”
Michael Majchrowicz can be reached at mmajchrowicz@gazettenet.com.