President Gabrielle Starr of Pomona College issued a warning to students on Friday, threatening immediate suspension for those involved in a pro-Palestinian protest on campus. The president said that participants in the protest who were identified as Pomona students would face suspension, while students from other Claremont Colleges would be banned from Pomona’s campus and subject to discipline on their own campuses. The president’s response came after protesters refused to identify themselves to campus security and verbally harassed staff, including using racial slurs.
Community members who protest on campus in accordance with the institution’s demonstration policy will not be affected by the crackdown, the president stated. The protest, which had been ongoing for a week, occupied a portion of the campus center, leading to a heavy police presence and a reported 18 arrests. While the college had initially refrained from taking immediate action against the protesters, the president’s response came after students began verbally harassing campus staff, including the use of racial slurs.
The president emphasized that the students had been exercising their right to protest, but their actions were disruptive and unacceptable. The protesters had voluntarily removed their tents from the demonstration site prior to the crackdown, but then proceeded to verbally harass staff and occupy the president’s office in Alexander Hall. The protesters continued to refuse to identify themselves, despite repeated requests from staff and administrators. The president described the protesters’ behavior as actively destructive to the values of the community, emphasizing that there was no excuse for the harassment and refusal to identify themselves.
In response to the escalating situation, campus staff began removing signs and other equipment left behind by the protesters in preparation for upcoming events. The protesters were given the option to move their equipment or have it stored for pickup, but instead, they continued to harass staff and refused to provide identification. The president stated that the protesters entered Alexander Hall under false pretenses and occupied her office, further escalating the tensions on campus. Despite being repeatedly instructed to stop their harassment and provide identification, the protesters continued their disruptive behavior for more than two hours.
The president’s letter to students outlined the consequences for those involved in the protest, including suspension for Pomona students and disciplinary action for students from other Claremont Colleges. The college community was urged to abide by the institution’s demonstration policy and to refrain from behavior that impedes on the rights of others. The president’s response to the protest highlighted the importance of upholding the values of the community and addressing disruptive behavior in a swift and decisive manner. The crackdown on the pro-Palestinian protest sparked debate and discussion on campus, as students and faculty grappled with questions of free speech, protest rights, and community values.
