#NotAgainSU has raised more than $21,000 as part of a GoFundMe campaign it started in early November. The movement has spent nearly a third of the funds on merchandise and food, according to an updated expense report released Tuesday.

The movement, led by Black students, has occupied Crouse-Hinds Hall since Feb. 17 to continue its ongoing protest of at least 30 racist, anti-Semitic and homophobic incidents that have occurred at or near Syracuse University since early November.

#NotAgainSU previously held a sit-in at the Barnes Center at the Arch for eight days in November. The movement created the GoFundMe page during that demonstration, reopening it during the Crouse-Hinds occupation to pay for resources, the page said.

More than 600 people have contributed to the listed goal of $35,000. The movement has allocated the most funding toward #NotAgainSU branded sweatshirts, spending a total of $4,431.32 on 500 hoodies, the report shows.

#NotAgainSU also spent $1,395.81 throughout both protests on breakfast, lunch and dinner for students, per the report.

DPS sealed off Crouse-Hinds as of Feb. 18, barring outside food, medicine and other supplies from entering the building until the next afternoon. SU provided lunch and dinner to organizers on Feb. 18 and breakfast on Feb. 19. University officials said the students were allowed to leave the building at any time and were encouraged to do so.

After the building reopened Feb. 20, students, faculty and community members have continued to bring food and supplies inside for students.

The movement also spent $623.99 on transportation throughout the two protests and $151.20 on a membership for SquareSpace, a website building software. It also spent $172.80 on #NotAgainSU patches.

The movement also spent $463.41 on legal expenses during the Crouse-Hinds occupation, according to the report.

Organizers met with a lawyer throughout the day Tuesday to gain counsel on the situation in Crouse-Hinds and the protest itself, an organizer said.

The university placed more than 30 students under interim suspension for staying in the building’s lobby past its 9 p.m. closing time. Syverud lifted the suspensions at a University Senate meeting Feb. 19, but organizers said they will continue their protest until the movement’s demands are met.

#NotAgainSU announced Tuesday afternoon that it would be meeting with two executive members of the Board of Trustees on Wednesday at 4 p.m. to discuss future plans with university administration.

The university said that was incorrect, and no meeting with Board of Trustees members was planned. Sarah Scalese, senior associate vice president for university communications, said in a statement that the university leaders spoke with students last night for “constructive discussion.”

When administration did not come to Crouse-Hinds at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, protesters marched out of the building and began blocking traffic in the intersection of South Crouse and Waverly avenues. The students, faculty and other supporters of the movement remained in the intersection for nearly two hours before re-entering Crouse-Hinds at about 6:45 p.m.

Some protesters wore black masks the expense report showed #NotAgainSU purchased for $259.

Published on February 26, 2020 at 11:22 pm

Contact Maggie: mehicks@syr.edu | @maggie_hickss