PHOENIX – State lawmakers are preparing to make it illegal to set up “encampments” on community college and university campuses.
Legislation awaiting a final Senate vote would ban anyone from setting up temporary shelters, including tents that are used to remain on campus overnight for “for a prolonged period of time.”
Its prime sponsor, Tucson Democratic Rep. Alma Hernandez, said it’s in response to pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel protests last year in Arizona. While nowhere near as long as more highly publicized incident at places like Columbia University, she said they led to Jewish students feeling harassed or being forced to take alternate routes through campus…