Strikers Forced to Move Away From California Hall
Date Added Monday, May 10, 2010 | 7:12 am
Last Updated Monday, May 10, 2010 | 8:27 am
Category: News > University > Student Communities
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Email/ShareThe 18 hunger strikers who have been camped outside California Hall since last Monday took down their tents and left this morning after being told by campus officials they would be arrested if they stayed.
The strikers and their supporters emptied their jugs of water and loaded their supplies onto UCPD trucks at around 6 A.M. after being told by campus officials they would be arrested if they did not leave the lawn in front of the building.
"This morning the university decided that you know, it's time," said UCPD Lt. Alex Yao.
Yao said the strikers and their supporters had been in violation of campus rules and regulations by lodging and violating campus curfew. Both can be punishable by arrest, he said.
The strikers chose to leave the lawn. Though strikers said they do not know where they will relocate, they will not stop fasting.
"We are going to continue," said senior Horacio Corona, who has gone without food for a week.
Though the strikers' belongings were moved by UCPD to Eshleman Hall, by 8 a.m. the protesters had gathered again in front of California Hall.
Ten more students and staff had joined the strikers in a "Solidarity Strike." Marco Amaral, a freshman striker, said the coalition will hold rallies at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. in front of the building.
The strikers are demanding Chancellor Robert Birgeneau publicly denounce a recent Arizona immigration law, make UC Berkeley a sanctuary campus and provide extended protections for undocumented students, drop all