The demonstration took place on Feb. 17 starting from 34th and Walnut streets to 40th and Walnut streets.
Credit: Chenyao LiuAround 100 pro-Palestinian protesters attended a rally and march on Penn’s campus calling on the University to divest from Israel and halt gentrification in Philadelphia on Feb. 17.
The demonstration, which took place on Presidents’ Day, began at 4:30 p.m. at 34th and Walnut streets — outside of Hill College House — and ended at 40th and Walnut streets, behind Gutmann College House, lasting around an hour and a half. The rally was publicized through a statement on Instagram and featured speakers from various pro-Palestinian organizations.
“Here in West Philly, Penn displaces and polices Philadelphians,” the statement read. “Through their private police force and their never-ending hunger for more real estate, Penn’s greed and power harm us all.”
A request for comment was left with a University spokesperson.
Several activist groups on campus and from the greater Philadelphia area co-hosted the rally, including Families for Ceasefire Philly, Save the UC Townhomes, Penn’s chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace, Penn Students Against the Occupation of Palestine, W.E.B. Du Bois Movement School for Abolition & Reconstruction, and Penn Faculty for Justice in Palestine.
The demonstration began with chants and two speeches while attendees held up signs protesting the Israel-Hamas war. Organizers handed out small Palestinian flags and a mock newspaper titled “The New York War Crimes.” The first speaker said that the reason for the rally was to “show [their] opposition to Israel [and] American-funded genocidal endeavors.”
“Despite months of campaigning, petitioning, and demonstrating against Penn’s investments in genocide, the Board of Trustees has refused to disclose their holdings or divest from Israel,” the speaker said.
Several participants of the rally held up signs that read, “UPenn supports gentrification in Philly and genocide in Palestine,” “Hands off West Bank, hands off West Philly,” and “We stand in awe of the Palestinian people.”
Another speaker discussed her trip to Palestine in December, emphasizing the importance of remaining dedicated to the fight for Palestinian liberation.
“We have a duty to fight, to hold these so-called leaders, these criminals in suits whose hands are drenched in blood, accountable,” the speaker said. “So we say today, with one voice, you will not be silenced. You will not be made afraid, and you will not falter. Liberation for all, all power to the people, all glory to the martyrs.”
Protesters chanted, “From West Philly to Palestine, occupation is a crime,” “Free, free Palestine,” “Trustees, your hands are red,” and “Israel bombs, UPenn pays, how many kids did you kill today?” as the group marched down Walnut Street.
There was a heavy presence from Penn Police and the Philadelphia Police Department for the duration of the event. Allied Universal Security Services officers were also placed at the entrances of Penn buildings along the march route, and PennCard checks were implemented at several locations while the demonstration took place.
A request for comment was left with a Division of Public Safety spokesperson.
DPS issued a Public Safety Traffic and Transit Advisory announcing that Walnut Street was closed between 34th and 40th streets due to “demonstration activity” at 5:45 p.m.
At the intersection of 40th and Walnut streets, a member of Families for Ceasefire spoke about children who are suffering from the violence in Gaza. They held up a coloring book that was removed from a Jerusalem bookshop by Israeli police and said that attendees could get a copy at Families for Ceasefire.
A former resident of the University City Townhomes also gave a speech in which they said, “I am a product of this neighborhood, and I am not a victim.”
“We understand that all of our troubles, from Philly, to Sudan, to the Congo, to Palestine, are extremely linked,” one speaker said. “The fight against police brutality in West Philadelphia is the same fight against military occupation in the West Bank.”
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