Student protesters have occupied a building at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), located at 20 Washington Place in Providence. The protesters are demanding that the institution divest from Israel. RISD spokeswoman Jaime Marland has stated that the school upholds the students' rights to freedom of expression, speech, and peaceful assembly.
RISD has made it clear that they condemn violence and injustice, and stand against antisemitism, Islamophobia, and all forms of hate. The school's top priority is the wellbeing of all students, and they continue to support all members of the community.
The school's president and provost held a meeting with the demonstrators on site Monday night. While Marland did not confirm whether the school will involve the police, she referred to a letter from President Crystal Williams dated April 26, where Williams expressed her reluctance to see police action taken against peacefully protesting students.
