Conservatives at the University of Wisconsin-Madison distributed American flags, pocket Constitutions and patriotic popsicles Friday to counter the anti-Israel encampment set up on campus.
The school’s “Young Americans for Freedom” chapter joined forces with College Republicans of UW-Madison to send a message to the student protesters at Library Mall, local news station WMTV reported.
“We just want to show the school and all of the protestors that are here doing it illegally, that there is a way to voice your opinion, there is a way to exercise your First Amendment, but within the laws,” said Harrison Wells, chairman of Young Americans for Freedom.
Wells told WMTV that protests should be done peacefully and legally.
“I don’t think anyone should be going to school where there’s violence where there’s outbreaks,” he said. “I think this could all be solved if these groups just followed the laws and follow the rules. I don’t think they would need to bring in police. Why would they if you’re following the laws?”
But anti-Israel protester Mia Kurzer said the disruptive encampment is justified.
“People weren’t really mad at people for saving Holocaust survivors when that was illegal and helping escaped slaves when that was illegal. So I think legality is just an interesting point,” Kurzer told WMTV.
Kurzer said the police presence at UW-Madison was unnecessary.
“This is not an anti-Semitic protest and we were not causing any harm to anyone before the police came and brutalized people,” she said.
But Wells told WMTV the school administration should have done more to shut down the protest.
“When they first came in on Wednesday, they cleared out some of the tents, the tents were back up within, I think an hour,” he said. “And then the school decided to negotiate. What precedent does that set for student groups in the future?”
Kurzer argued the protests would be legal if the university gave permission to set up the encampment.
“The law that is that people are referring to clearly states that people cannot camp without explicit permission,” she said. “They could just give us permission and then it would be legal. The chancellor has the power to give us permission to tent here, and she is actively choosing not to.”
University officials are in negotiations with protesters to end the encampment before finals begin on Sunday, WMTV reported.
Amanda Smith is a dedicated U.S. correspondent with a passion for uncovering the stories that shape the nation. With a background in political science, she provides in-depth analysis and insightful commentary on domestic affairs, ensuring readers are well-informed about the latest developments across the United States.
