May 7, 2024 Encampment Timeline

12 p.m. – University staff see pallets being unloaded onto the South Lawn in violation of the university’s Land Use Policy. 

12:49 p.m. – Demonstration Response and Safety Team (DRST) staff notify demonstrators that they are not permitted to build a structure or set up tents on the South Lawn. Demonstrators ignore notification. 

12:53 p.m. – DRST enter encampment and inform participants they are not approved to use the space and ask them to disassemble the wooden barrier being constructed; that statement is below. 

“We’re here because we support your First Amendment right to free speech and want you to be aware of the laws and policies of the university. The use of any university space and the erection of any structures require compliance with the Land Use policy. If you do not cease and disassemble these structures immediately, you will be trespassing and UMass police will respond. Please immediately dismantle these structures. You are welcome to stay in the space, but these structures cannot remain.”

1:26 p.m. – DRST staff read a second to demonstrators using a bullhorn; that statement is below. 

“This is our second notification to you that the presence of tents and other structures in this space is in violation of university policy. We support your first amendment right to free speech. While you can remain in this space to demonstrate you are directed to take down the tents immediately. Failure to comply with this directive means that you are trespassing.”

1:32 p.m. – Demonstrators, using bullhorn, announce that participants in the “red” zone should meet to make a plan regarding potential arrests now that a notification has been given that they are in violation of university policy. Zones refer to a document distributed by demonstrators showing areas where occupants are at risk of arrest, red being the highest risk. 

1:45 p.m. – UMPD issues a recall order to all campus officers to return to campus in case support is necessary. 

1:51 p.m. – Demonstrators, using bullhorn, notify DRST staff that they “will not leave until demands are met, and we will make [the university] listen.” 

2:42 p.m. – UMPD contacts Massachusetts State Police requesting availability of small SERT (Special Events Response Team) contingency to provide support if necessary. SERT will not be available until 4:30. SERT and UMPD continue to assesses situation and request further support beyond the initially requested contingency. 

3:23 p.m. – DRST members share with demonstrators that the Board of Trustees has agreed to consider the UMass Amherst student trustee’s petition calling for divestment from defense-related firms at their next board meeting in June. The UMass Foundation Board, which manages the university’s endowment, also received a request to consider divestment. 

3:29 p.m. – Demonstrators notify DRST that the fortified encampment “is not coming down unless our demands are met” and “want a decision maker to meet with us.” Chancellor Reyes and senior leaders agree to meet with four representatives of the demonstrators. 

4:30 p.m. – Demonstrators begin meeting with Chancellor Reyes and members of his senior leadership team in Draper Hall. 

6 p.m. – Meeting between demonstrators and administrators concludes without an agreement to dismantle the fortified encampment. 

6:54 p.m. – DRST reads final notice to demonstrators; that statement is below.

“The administration presented to you information regarding your proposal for divestment as submitted by the student trustee to the board – that item is now on the agenda for the June meeting.  

Additionally, you have submitted an endowment divestment proposal to the UMass Foundation, which they will review.  

We have shared information with you about how you can engage in these board processes. Please remove your tents and structures now, and continue your advocacy through these channels.

You are now trespassing. I want to stress that you have the right to express your views but you do not have a right to place structures outside the limits of the land use policy. You can demonstrate in this space but you must dismantle and remove your tents and structures now. Any unclaimed tents and gear will be removed by the university. Should you continue to not comply with university directives, UMPD will respond, which may result in your arrest. “

7:10 p.m. – Two UMPD officers arrive on site; this is the first time law enforcement officers enter the encampment area. One is recorded as delivering this message: “Let’s be clear before we go any further. I don’t want to arrest anyone… I implore you to please do what you can … if the structures come down … we leave and no one has to get arrested … all that we want is for the structures to go away.” 

7:20 p.m. – The first of several dispersal notices is given to several hundred demonstrators on site that they are now trespassing and subject to arrest if they do not leave. Dispersal orders are also read at 7:29 and 7:34. Dispersal orders continue throughout the remainder of the night.

7:39 p.m. – UMPD and law enforcement partners begin entering the encampment site and arresting demonstrators who have refused a lawful order to disperse. Throughout the remainder of the evening and into the next morning, any individual remaining in the area could leave without penalty.