Protest Update, April 26, 9 p.m.

The Auraria Higher Education Center and its partner institutions strongly support First Amendment rights. Protesters gathered at the onset of Thursday’s demonstration on the Tivoli quad and assembled peacefully. However, as the demonstration progressed, some participants established an encampment, violating a campus policy prohibiting camping. This policy was implemented two decades ago to ensure the health, safety, and security of our students, employees, and visitors.

The Auraria Campus has always respected the freedom of speech in our community and will continue to do so. We also need to put safety first.

Earlier in the day, Auraria Campus and Denver police departments dispersed an encampment in front of the Tivoli Quad, where protesters had begun gathering on Thursday. After the encampment had been cleared, some protesters returned to the area and set up more than 30 tents. In the weeks leading up to and during the past two days, campus administrators repeatedly spoke with numerous protestors and advised them of our policy, including providing written copies. When protesters did not comply after numerous requests to do so, law enforcement stepped in to remove the encampment. Several protesters who did not comply with law enforcement requests to disperse were arrested.

This action occurred only after exhaustive efforts to engage the protesters again and understand their perspectives, and explain campus safety policies. After the crowd and safety concerns grew, it became increasingly clear that our duty to protect students and the rest of our community was paramount.

Road closures, event cancellations, and other operational disruptions have occurred on the campus due to the protests. In the interest of our students, we must maintain our core academic missions and daily functions, by restoring our campus to standard operating procedures while preserving free speech.

We will continue to support and encourage peaceful debate and civic engagement on our campus while ensuring the safety of our students, employees, and visitors.