A group of 75 anti-Israel agitators staged an encampment at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza as part of the Philly Palestine Coalition’s Nakba Day march. This raised concerns about safety on campus due to past instances of hateful speech and intimidating behavior at demonstrations. Drexel University’s President John Fry stated that the encampment would be monitored by Drexel Police Public Safety to ensure peaceful and non-disruptive behavior, with a zero-tolerance policy for campus destruction, harassment, or intimidation of students, faculty, or staff. Buildings were on lockdown and only accessible to those with clearance.
The protest followed the arrest of 19 individuals at the nearby University of Pennsylvania the day prior. At UPenn’s Fisher Bennett Hall, 19 people were arrested, including six students, and 12 were cited for failure to disperse among other charges. Twelve individuals were later released, highlighting the ongoing tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Drexel University reiterated its commitment to preventing disruptive or threatening behavior and restricting access to buildings and student residences to members of the Drexel community.
President Fry emphasized the importance of respectful behavior and the rejection of explicitly racist, antisemitic, or Islamophobic speech on campus. Drexel University’s Public Safety team was prepared to respond quickly to any disruptive or threatening actions during the encampment. The university maintained that they would not tolerate any form of campus destruction, harassment, or intimidation, ensuring that students, faculty, and staff felt safe and protected. Security measures were put in place to limit access to buildings to prevent unauthorized individuals from entering.
The encampment at Drexel University brought attention to the ongoing tensions and demonstrations surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The call for a ceasefire in Gaza and the need for peaceful protests highlighted the importance of maintaining safety and security on campus. The protests at Drexel and UPenn underscore the complex nature of the conflict and the differing perspectives within the community. By addressing concerns about hateful speech and ensuring a zero-tolerance policy towards intimidation and harassment, the universities aimed to create a safe and inclusive environment for all members of the community.
