Video: Andrew Goff

UPDATE, 2:45 a.m.: As expected, cops have shown up on Cal Poly Humboldt’s campus in force and have made their way to the UC Quad where they have begun arresting protesters.

We will have more later this morning.

# # #

Video: Andrew Goff

UPDATE, 1 a.m.: Well, it has now been nearly four hours of patrol cars rolling up to various spots on the perimeter of the barricades every half hour or so to play the recorded warning, giving protesters 15 minutes to disperse. At this point, the announcements are mostly being ignored.

Some protesters remain outside, chanting periodically. Others are resting or sleeping inside Nelson Hall East. About an hour ago a man blasting country music, who admitted to being “two beers deep,” drove up to campus to start some shit debate. He argued with a few protesters and declared “death to Palestine” before leaving.

Theories and speculation abound regarding what’s next, but for now the standoff remains a waiting game.

—Ryan Burns

UPDATE, 11 p.m.: Still a lot of feints and jabs from the cops’ side. The police car that has parked itself at various locations around the perimeter to play a recording is still doing that, per the Outpost reporters on scene.

One person who was on the fringes of the crowd has been taken into custody, as seen in the picture above.

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UPDATE, 10:15 p.m.: No police crackdown yet. Right now there are about 150-200 protesters gathered on and around the UC quad, per Outpost reporters Ryan Burns and Andrew Goff, at the scene. A patrol car periodically pulls up to various points on the perimeter to play the announcement shown in videos below, urging people to disperse.

Just now, a police officer gave protesters 15 minutes.

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UPDATE, 10:08 a.m.: The Outpost’s Ryan Burns was live from the university quad.

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UPDATE, 9:50 p.m.: Police are giving protesters 10 minutes to disperse.

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“A Small Campus in the Redwoods Has the Nation’s Most Entrenched Protest,” reports the New York Times this evening.

But possibly not for long, as a large police contingency has shown up to campus tonight. On the other hand: A lot of protesters, too. 

We’re updating.

Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On 4/22/2024, at about 3:40 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the Tish Tang Campground near Hoopa, CA for the report of a possible drowning.

According to witnesses, a juvenile female had been swept away by the river current while attempting to cool off and two additional persons had jumped into the river in an attempt to rescue her.

Upon deputy arrival, the female was observed on a rock on the opposite side of the river and a second person was quickly discovered downstream yelling for help and holding onto a tree. A passing civilian boat assisted in bringing both subjects to safety. Both were transported to a local hospital by ambulance.

The Sheriff’s Office’s jet boat and a Hoopa Valley Tribal Police Department boat were launched near the area in which the third person, Joseph Viveiros Dawson Rodney Joseph Dawson Viveiros Jr., age 19, was reported missing. California Highway Patrol and US Coast Guard helicopters were also dispatched to aid in the search. While the search was ongoing, a family member of Viveiros jumped into the river and was swept downstream. The Sheriff’s Office jet boat was able to rescue the man, who was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

HCSO along with multiple other agencies searched the area where Viveiros went missing. An underwater ROV (remotely operated underwater vehicle) with sonar capabilities was used to aid in the search. The search for Viveiros Dawson has been unsuccessful.   

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank Humboldt County Special Services, Hoopa Tribal Police, Hoopa Volunteer Fire, Yurok Tribal Police, CHP Air Operations, United States Coast Guard, Hoopa Ambulance, Cal OES, Yuba County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit and the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit for their quick response and assistance in this operation.

UPDATE, 7:45 p.m.: After a mostly quiet day on Cal Poly Humboldt campus, a few hundred people have gathered on LK Wood Boulevard — the largest showing since the first night of the occupation a week ago — to wave signs and chant pro-Palestinian slogans as a few members of the California Highway Patrol look on.

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It was fairly quiet up at Cal Poly Humboldt today, one week after pro-Palestinian protesters first stormed Siemens Hall and set up camp. National media have come to town, memes have been promulgated, some property has been torn up and graffiti’d, and the university has gone back to COVID-era learning for the remainder of the semester. Various parties on campus, including the University Senate, have called upon President Tom Jackson to resign.

At least for the time being, though, things have settled into stalemate. Activists did their laundry, and supporters held a march and another teach-in near Siemens Hall. A man bearing an Israeli flag marched with them and was not abused.

Will the administration attempt to end the occupation with force before commencement, on May 11? It seems as though there would be no surer way of casting a pall over ceremonies, but it does seem just possible.

Large numbers of Highway Patrol — state government’s principal police agency — have been seen making their way into town. Earlier this afternoon, about 50 CHP officers were seen gathering at the agency’s headquarters on Arcata’s Samoa Boulevard before pairing up and leaving the scene in patrol vehicles. A CHP helicopter had lighted nearby.

Additional out-of-town officers have been spotted throughout the week, including patrol cars from other CSU campuses, including Chico and Channel Islands.

Would such a force assemble were it not intended to clear the campus? It’s possible, maybe. Maybe the hope is to intimidate the protesters into leaving voluntarily. (If they haven’t already, that is. Siemens Hall has been closed to visitors since the weekend, and it’s difficult to know what’s going on inside.) Maybe the officers are here as a contingency, in case things get more out of hand on campus. 

But certainly the fear on campus, among supporters, is that a crackdown could be imminent. The Outpost briefly spoke with one professor who was delivering masks and respirators to students. “Surreal,” the professor called it.

The Outpost’s Ryan Burns caught up with Abdi Soltani, the executive director of the ACLU’s Northern California chapter, who is on-hand to observe. 

“It’s really important for this university, working with its faculty and with its students, to resolve this issue through a response that does not involve a law enforcement escalation,” Soltani said. “It’s not for me to say, like, ‘What will that process produce?’ But to escalate to a law enforcement response, again, will not be good for the university or its community in the long run.”

Full Abdi Soltani interview, April 29.

Social media rumors have it that many of the out-of-town officers have put up at the Blue Lake Casino and Hotel. (The Outpost spotted a CSU Channel Islands police vehicle there earlier today, but that was the only one.) According to the Rancheria, which put out a statement today, its employees have been subject to harassment because of this, and it asks people to cut it out. Full statement below.

[DISCLOSURE: The Blue Lake Rancheria is a minority owner of the Outpost’s parent company, Lost Coast Communications, Inc.]

Press release from the Blue Lake Rancheria:

While Pro-Palestine protesters continue to occupy Cal Poly Humboldt’s campus, they have also turned their attention to the economic enterprises that are operated by the Blue Lake Rancheria, a Federally Recognized Tribe located in Humboldt County, situated in far northwestern California. Protesters claim that some law enforcement officers are staying at the Blue Lake Hotel and have begun to utilize intimidation and harassment tactics against Blue Lake Rancheria (BLR) and their businesses. BLR wants to remind the protesters that it is important to express their concerns peacefully and within the bounds of the law.

There have been unsuccessful attempts to disrupt BLR’s websites, threatening calls made to front desk staff, threats to harm the physical buildings in and around BLR, derogatory comments made to staff and patrons, social media posts naming employees and more. Understandably, these intimidating tactics have been unsettling to many of BLR’s hospitality staff who are members of Union Local 49 out of Sacramento.

Blue Lake Rancheria assures its patrons that these attempts have not been successful and that BLR has many safeguards in place to protect information and staff and ensure that the customer experience while at the Casino, Hotel, or other commercial operations across the property, will remain safe and enjoyable.

Blue Lake Rancheria recognizes and empathizes with the volatile circumstances between Palestine and Israel and desires a cease fire. They emphasize the importance of civil discourse (the practice of deliberating about matters of public concern in a way that seeks to expand knowledge and promote understanding) and localized peace. Ancestors of BLR Tribal Members ancestors experienced the genocide associated with Colonialism such as death, disease, loss of cultural practices, displacement and more, on a deeply personal and cultural level, BLR understands the significance of “Land Back” efforts, but they strongly discourage attempts to disrupt their business operations in the spirit of this movement. It is a direct contradiction to the movement.

Blue Lake Rancheria is committed to securing a better future for its people, protecting its sovereignty and heritage, and building a resilient, healthy economy and environment. They value community and education and work in service to support both. They have a history of progressive initiatives and actions. BLR is a Climate Action Champion that has been recognized by the White House for their innovative efforts to reduce the causes of climate change and has garnered attention and accolades for deploying the first-of-its-kind microgrid to build resilience in response to the climate crisis.

Further, BLR has distributed hundreds of thousands of dollars in student scholarships, provides over 40,000 meals annually to Tribal Elders across Humboldt and Trinity Counties, leads restoration and monitoring efforts for the Batuwa’t (Mad River), deploys air quality monitors across the region, supports firefighting efforts across the Western United States, serves as a resilience hub in times of regional disasters, sponsors programs such as Toys for Tots, Pathmakers Program, Humboldt Aquaculture Symposium, SAFE (Smoke, Air, Fire and Energy) Symposium, and more. Over the years, Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal representatives have been instrumental in assisting Cal Poly Humboldt’s Foundation to significantly move their portfolio into green investing and real estate holdings and away from many concerning sectors including direct investment in defense-based companies. This has been a source of pride for both the University as well as BLR.

It is the Tribe’s belief that an orderly resolution is possible between the protesters and Cal Poly Humboldt in a manner that can afford the students of Cal Poly Humboldt the opportunity to complete this year with access to the ceremonies and experiences they deserve while recognizing the complex challenges experienced by so many across the globe. This graduating class has endured more than its share of hardships during their university tenure, including the many impacts associated with COVID-19, death of fellow students, 6.4 Magnitude earthquake of 2022, regional climate crisis effects such as wildfire, air quality, sea level rise and more.

It is for these reasons the Blue Lake Rancheria calls for a swift and peaceful resolution to the protests, an end of the occupation of buildings on the Cal Poly Humboldt campus as well as an immediate end to the harassment and threats of unlawful activity currently being experienced by Blue Lake Rancheria’s Tribal Government and their commercial enterprises.

PREVIOUSLY:

• “Going Down,” April 29.

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Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On April 29, at 9:00 a.m., the Humboldt County Emergency Communications center received a call regarding a possible homicide of an individual inside of a residence on Boynton Prairie Road, Arcata. The caller stated her family member was possibly murdered inside his home. Deputies arrived on scene and located a male subject in his 70’s, deceased inside the residence. There were no obvious signs of assault or injury to the decedent.

Deputies also received information that a potential suspect left the victim’s home and was hold up at a residence in Kneeland. Deputies drove to the 7700 block of Kneeland Road, and subsequently made contact with the person of interest. That subject was questioned by law enforcement and released at the scene. At this time, there is no evidence to indicate this death was a homicide. The Humboldt County Coroner’s Office is leading the death investigation.  

Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.

Statement of the Executive Director of ACLU of Northern California Abdi Soltani on campus protests:

Abdi Soltani

The ACLU of Northern California is closely monitoring the campus protests and the university and law enforcement responses in our region, particularly at California Polytechnic Humboldt. I am here personally in Humboldt to monitor the student protests and campus response.

During times like these, several fundamental protections come to the forefront. First, there’s the right to freedom of expression and assembly enshrined in the United States and California Constitutions. Second, there’s the right to be free from unreasonable and excessive force at the hands of law enforcement. And third, there’s the core principle that these rights apply universally, irrespective of one’s viewpoint, race, ethnicity, or religion. These protections, however, only survive if we have other fundamental guarantees in place— a free press on the ground, access to legal counsel, and due process.  

We are closely monitoring the student protests and the responses of universities and law enforcement across Northern California. We are receiving and reviewing legal intakes from campuses across the region, including Stanford University and UC Berkeley. As a Berkeley resident, I visited the campus on Saturday to witness the encampment, speak with students, and assess the conditions.  It appears that the students there have been able to express themselves and that the University has, thus far, set aside spaces for such student expression.   

The developments at Cal Poly Humboldt have certainly also drawn our attention. The events at Humboldt are of greater concern, with students occupying a university building and encountering law enforcement. My goals while in Humboldt will be to observe events on campus, establish connections with students, faculty, and members of the public, and open lines of communication.

We urge the Cal Poly Humboldt administration, in the strongest terms, to refrain from involving law enforcement and to take advantage of every available tool to peacefully reach a resolution with the students.

Since its founding 90 years ago in 1934, the ACLU of Northern California has consistently prioritized defending the freedom of speech and the right to protest. During the Great Depression’s longshoreman strike to countless other periods of activism and protest by workers, students, peace activists, and others, we have remained steadfast in safeguarding robust First Amendment rights and the right under the California State Constitution to free expression, freedom of the press, and freedom of assembly. 

We encourage the public and students to review our Know Your Rights information, and to contact our Legal Intake line if you believe that your rights are being violated. We will post updates to social media over the coming days.  

Press release from the City of Eureka:

With construction of the grant-funded safety improvements on H and I Streets nearly complete, it is important for motorists to understand how to safely and legally drive with the new configuration of the streets. The safety improvements were developed and implemented with the goal of increasing bike and pedestrian safety but, in reality, improve the situation for all users of the roadway. This week, contractors will be painting the final markings along H, I and Harris Streets, including crosswalks and green paint that denotes potential conflict points between bikes and motorized vehicles.

The green paint will be present at the ends of each block, where cars may cross paths with bikes as the cars are turning from or onto side streets. According to California Vehicle Code (CVC) 21717, a right-turning car is supposed to move into the bike lane before the intersection — anywhere from 200 to 50 feet before — first signaling the lane merge, then merging right to the curb lane, and finally making the actual turn once it’s deemed safe.

At some intersections along the H and I corridor, green paint will also be provided in bike boxes. These allow cyclists to safely move from the bike lane to the appropriate position necessary to make a left turn. Motorists must stop behind the green paint so as not to endanger cyclists that may enter the bike box.

As with any new configuration, the lane changes on H and I Streets will require some getting used to for all users of the roadway. Please be attentive, considerate, and patient while driving, walking, or biking along the routes.

More information can be found at the links below:

• State of California DMV
• Bike Lane and Right Turn Lane Usage
• Right Turns SF Bicycle Coalition Video
• Get Your Right Turns Right Video

Video by Andrew Goff.

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One full week since the start of the pro-Palestine student occupation and protest at Cal Poly Humboldt, the campus was fairly quiet Monday morning.

“It’s really chill,” Savana Robinson of Redwood News told the Outpost via phone. “There’s really nothing going on.” She added that the mutual aid kitchen, which as been feeding protesters on campus all week, remains open and is feeding “everyone” who stops by.

Multiple law enforcement vehicles and officers were milling about outside the main protest perimeter earlier today. Siemens Hall remains occupied and barricaded [CLARIFICATION: We can’t confirm that there’s anyone inside], and the surrounding area, which has also been barricaded, is still filled with tents, protest signs and graffiti.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, Eureka Police Department, University Police Department and California State University [UPDATE: and Ferndale Police Department] have all been seen on campus in the past 24 hours.

In the pre-dawn hours Monday, an X (formerly Twitter) user identified as an “organizer, student, propagandist” posted footage of activists “erecting a tree sit 60 feet up in solidarity for a free Gaza & end of empire.”

On Sunday evening, the board of the California Faculty Union’s Humboldt chapter issued a message to colleagues outlining ways to take action this week “in order to support student safety, and the reopening campus.” The announcement also lists a schedule for a “solidarity march and workshops” this afternoon:

Hello Colleagues,

We appreciate how many people we have connected with over the last week. Our power is in our collective resistance!  We have 3 items that you can take action on this week in order to support student safety, and the reopening campus. Please share the following widely with your staff and student contacts.

1.) Participate in Phone and Email Campaign Continue to help put pressure on our legislators and the chancellor’s office. The following link has numbers, email addresses, and sample scripts. Please take a moment to make a phone call! Email & Call Campaign, Faculty - Staff - Community

2.) Solidarity March and Workshops Monday April 29th from 2pm-7pm CFA will be hosting an afternoon gathering for faculty, staff, students and community members to march the perimeter of the campus.
Let’s demand safety for students on campus, that OUR university is re-opened, that the administration commits to de-escalating the current situation on campus, and that CPH students can celebrate their accomplishments at graduation.

Please bring a sign, water, a snack, and wear layers.

• 2 pm: Walk and Chant. Meet at LK Wood and 14th Street
• 3 pm: Workshops
• 4 pm: Music (bring your instruments!)
• 5 pm: Workshops
• 6 pm: Food drop

3) Participate in Decolonizing Economics 2024: Earth Day to May Day (May 1-3). CFA is a proud sponsor of this timely online summit, which serves as a platform for addressing the crises of our time and connects directly to the protests at Cal Poly Humboldt. Participants will have access to thought-provoking discussions and presentations aimed at catalyzing systemic change, and gain knowledge for transforming our learning, working, and living conditions. Registration is on a sliding scale, which means you pay what you can. If you are able to do so, the summit requests a contribution of $25-100 so that they can pay a living wage to organizers, and provide a stipend to presenters. If you can not afford the registration fee, please follow the link at the top registration page to the no-barrier registration option.

Find out more and register: https://decolonizingeconomicssummit.org/

In union, CFA Humboldt Eboard

On Sunday evening, the university released its latest campus alert, offering to talk to any protesters willing to have “productive and respectful dialogue.” 

The hard closure of campus remains in effect through May 10. The annual spring commencement ceremony, typically held in Redwood Bowl, remains scheduled for the following day, May 11, though it’s not clear if it will proceed as usual. 

The CPH statement below says, “The University is planning for various scenarios to help students and families celebrate this important milestone.” 

Logistical information and more can be found below.

Here’s the full statement. 

CAL POLY HUMBOLDT ALERT - This has been a challenging time for all of us. The safety and security of our entire campus community are at the forefront of every decision being made. Since Monday, the University’s goal has always been to bring a peaceful end to the occupation. The University continues to talk to anyone willing to have productive and respectful dialogue. 

[See the University’s response to the protestors’ demands at humboldt.edu/emergency.]

The individuals who are occupying Siemens Hall and Nelson Hall East, or illegally camping around those facilities, are urged to leave the campus peacefully now. Leaving voluntarily will be considered as a possible mitigating factor in University conduct processes and may reduce the severity of sanctions imposed. This does not, however, eliminate responsibility for any potential conduct or criminal charges. 
Campus leaders are offering to escort individuals who are concerned for their safety off campus.

A hard closure of campus is now being enforced through May 10, and individuals are prohibited from entering or being on campus without permission. Work and academic instruction will be remote.

There have been requests by many across campus to participate in decision-making related to the recent events, and we are grateful for your desire to help us navigate this difficult time. Once the situation has further stabilized, the University will host opportunities for conversations with the campus community in order to ensure we are moving forward and healing as a campus.  

Housing and Dining: Student residents are allowed to come and go from campus and access Dining facilities, and have been emailed details. Residents and authorized staff are permitted to be in the residence halls and dining facilities areas. Residence halls will remain open to residents and housing operations will remain the same through the end of the semester.

The J, College Creek Marketplace, and the Cupboard will continue to operate during their regular business hours. Residents with meal plans will maintain access to these locations for their dining needs. Student residents should refer to the email that was sent to them. 

Access to Campus: University Division leadership or supervisors will email personnel who are authorized to access campus to provide instructions on the check-in procedure for accessing campus, which will be effective Monday morning. Authorized personnel are approved based on their inability to maintain business continuity in a fully remote environment. 

Commencement: Many people have asked about Commencement. The University is planning for various scenarios to help students and families celebrate this important milestone. 

Technology Support

• Computer pickup: Information has been emailed to staff and faculty about a process for computer pick up to facilitate remote work. 
• Laptop Loaners for students: 
• A limited number of loaner laptops are available for students who need to complete instructional related work.  
• Students must schedule an appointment with the Information Technology Services department in advance by sending an email to help@humboldt.edu with the subject: Student Loaner Laptop Request, and including the following information: software needed, description of use case, contact phone number and preferred pickup time (between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday)
• ITS will respond with a specific time confirmation and meeting instructions.
• Please bring your Humboldt ID, we cannot get you a laptop without it.

Health and Counseling Services

• Students: Student Health & Wellbeing Services is open for telehealth visits during regular operating hours. Please email health@humboldt.edu for medical appointments or email humboldtcaps@humboldt.edu for counseling appointments. TimelyCare is available 24/7 for both acute and scheduled medical and counseling sessions as well as health coaching and other resources.
• Employees: Staff or faculty seeking additional support may utilize the Employee Assistance Program, LifeMatters, offered through Empathia 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Events

• The University is working to relocate athletics events and activities. Coaches will share information with athletes.
• All other on-campus events have been canceled through May 10. If you had catering services scheduled for your event, all services will be canceled with no fees applied.
• Off-campus events are still continuing as scheduled.

Off-campus academic activities: Buses will not be transporting students to field trips, but any activities such as academic internships or field placements that can be conducted safely off campus can continue.

Children’s Center: The Center is open during regular operating hours.

FAQs: General information and frequently asked questions can be found at humboldt.edu/emergency/faq 

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Cal Poly Humboldt News & Information news@humboldt.edu

Please visit humboldt.edu/emergency for more updates.

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PREVIOUSLY: 

• DAY SEVEN: In New Statement, Cal Poly Humboldt Says It Supports Free Speech But Decries ‘Lawless Behavior,’ Disruption of Education and Damages Estimated in the Millions
• Cal Poly Humboldt University Senate Passes Resolution Calling for a Permanent Ceasefire in Gaza
• DAY SIX: Cal Poly Humboldt Issues Hard Closure of Campus; Law Enforcement Converges
• DAY FIVE: Protesters Open Cal Poly Humboldt’s Siemens Hall After Day of Tension Waiting For a Raid That Has Yet to Come
• DAY FOUR: Occupy Cal Poly Humboldt Protester Details Group’s Demands, Motivations and Views on President Tom Jackson, Law Enforcement and Their Campus Impact
• Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty Pass Vote of No Confidence in President Tom Jackson Amid Ongoing Student Protest
• DAY THREE: (PHOTOS) Student Protesters List Demands, Expand Graffiti Messaging and Voice Camaraderie on Third Day of Cal Poly Humboldt Campus Occupation
• Cal Poly Humboldt Says Campus Will be Closed Through at Least the Weekend Due to Ongoing Pro-Palestine Protests
• DAY TWO: The Morning After Cops Clash With Student Protesters, CPH Campus is Closed, Occupied Building Barricaded
• Legendary Rebellious Rapper Chuck D’s Cal Poly Humboldt Event Canceled By In-Progress, On-Campus Rebellion
• DAY ONE: Major Pro-Palestine Protests at Cal Poly Humboldt Provoke Massive Police Response; Protesters Occupy Siemens Hall; Reports of Violent Force Between Activists and Law Enforcement