Protesters open Siemens Hall but continue to occupy

For unknown reasons, the protesters at Cal Poly Humboldt decided to take down the barricade on the east side of Siemens Hall and open the building around 5 p.m. Friday. An unidentified protester stated, “we’re going to open up Siemens Hall. Everyone, welcome.”

It is still undetermined who made the decision to open the building and why. Another unidentified protester was heard saying, “I’m not the person who made this decision. I’m not entirely sure who made the decision.”

Inside Siemens Hall, the walls were covered in graffiti. Protesters broke into the office of Cal Poly Humboldt’s president Tom Jackson. They scrawled messages across his inner office, personal bathroom and conference room walls and table.

Tony Silvaggio, vice president of the California Faculty Association Humboldt, expressed his gratitude to be able to step foot into the office for the first time.

“I am so thankful to finally be in the president’s office,” Silvaggio said. “I have never been invited to this office. I’ve never really been invited to any meeting by the president, and I’m the vice president of the faculty union”

Despite opening the doors, protesters continued to come and go from the building and the term “open occupation” began to circulate.

Cal Poly Humboldt Dean of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences, Jeff Crane, spoke to Redwood News inside Siemens Hall.

“If in fact they have moved out of Siemens, I’m told it’s an open occupation,” Crane said before an unidentified protester shouted, “it’s still occupied.”

“Thank you,” Crane said. ” So this is part of what we’re trying to understand, right?”