Amidst final exams, over a dozen UC Berkeley students have chosen to pitch tents outside Sproul Hall, creating a Free Palestine encampment in solidarity with demonstrators across the nation. The group, calling itself “UC Berkeley Divest,” is demanding the university end its silence on the conflict in Gaza, divest from companies involved in the violence, and provide better protection for students of Middle Eastern descent. While the encampment remains peaceful, UC Berkeley has stated it will intervene if the protest disrupts university operations. The Jewish Community Relations Council has acknowledged the protestors’ right to free speech and assembly but condemned their “abhorrent” rhetoric.