10:46 a.m. · May 10 - The Daily Pennsylvanian StaffPermalink
Here's what to know:
Penn Police, wearing riot gear and holding clubs, arrested 33 protesters at the Gaza Solidarity Encampment early Friday morning with the assistance of the Philadelphia Police.
Several faculty members were led away by police from a demonstration at 34th and Walnut streets, with one professor describing this as a "low point at this university."
Interim President Larry Jameson announced restricted access to College Green and defended the sweep of the demonstration, describing it as disruptive to University operations.
The protesters were cited for trespassing and were released from a Philadelphia Police station Friday morning.
University employees fully cleared the encampment — disposing of tents, personal belongings, pro-Palestinian flags, and other items — leaving behind grass with patches where tents once stood.
March pauses at 33rd and Market, protesters circle up
The march has paused at the intersection of 33rd and Market streets. Protesters have gathered in a circle around the truck that has been leading the march.
Multiple Drexel University police vehicles are on the scene at Market Street. More than 10 police vehicles remain on 33rd Street behind the march.
Penn’s Division of Public Safety has issued a third UPennAlert — although the protest is now bordering Drexel’s campus — calling the demonstration a “crowd currently at 3300 Market Street.”
Protesters have been told not to engage with any “outside agitators or genocide deniers or Zios.”
A series of speakers addressed the crowd.
“When they destroy, we build,” one speaker said. “The encampment was the floor, not the ceiling.”
Chants from the crowd have continued, including “Uni admins you’re all liars, the students set the world on fire.”
Protesters alleged at least two instances of aggressive police behavior as Penn Police and the Philadelphia Police Department responded to the ongoing pro-Palestinian march.
One protester was allegedly hit in the back of the head by a police officer waving a baton. A biker leading the protesters also alleged that a Philadelphia Police Department car nearly hit them “going 30mph.”
After pausing in front of Interim Penn President Larry Jameson’s house for about 20 minutes, the march has proceeded up Walnut Street and down 39th Street and is now heading east on Chestnut Street.
Participants continue to chant, including “From the river to the sea, Palestine will live forever” and “Say it loud and say it clear, Gaza’s children are why we’re here.”
The march paused at 39th and Chestnut streets to allow an ambulance to pass. Police vehicles have arrived at the intersection of 39th and Chestnut and continue to block lanes of traffic as the march continues to move.
Two protesters briefly enter gates of Jameson’s house
At least two pro-Palestinian protesters briefly entered the gates of Interim Penn President Larry Jameson’s house at a rally criticizing the University's sweep of the Gaza Solidarity Encampment earlier Friday.
“Ain’t no power like the power of the people ‘cause the power of the people don’t stop,” protesters chanted while dancing and releasing smoke bombs.
The Daily Pennsylvanian could not immediately confirm if the protesters who entered the house were students. As they entered the property, dozens of police pulled up to the rally with sirens and lights on. Protesters moved further into the street while chanting, “off the sidewalk and into the street.”
Protesters were then pushed out of the interim president's property by police and moved forward towards police cars, chanting, “Who do you serve, who do you protect, we know Zionists sign your checks."
Moments later, protesters alleged at least two instances of aggressive police behavior as Penn Police and the Philadelphia Police Department responded to the ongoing pro-Palestinian rally.
Protesters screamed for about thirty seconds outside Interim Penn President Larry Jameson’s house, mirroring a tactic used by pro-Palestinian organizers at Columbia University.
“What do you think of President Jameson’s statement? Let him know,” an organizer said.
Organizers then started chanting, “F**k you Larry.”
At least ten police cars — both Penn Police and Philadelphia Police — have gathered at the intersection of 38th and Walnut streets as at least 150 protesters have gathered in front of Interim Penn President Larry Jameson’s house.
“The students united will never be defeated,” protesters chanted.
9:26 p.m. · May 10 - Katie Bartlett, Neema Baddam, Ella Sohn, and Emily ScolnickPermalink
Student organizer of encampment, professor make remarks outside Larry Jameson's house
“President Jameson and Provost Jackson would rather arrest their students, brutalize them, kick them out of their homes, displace them, beat them up, than answer our calls to stop genocide,” one speaker said outside of Interim Penn President Larry Jameson’s house.
Several protesters launched smoke devices into the air bearing the colors of the Palestinian flag. Ten police cars, most of which belong to Penn Police, are parked around the rally.
9:17 p.m. · May 10 - Katie Bartlett, Ella Sohn, Neema Baddam, and Emily ScolnickPermalink
Protesters have stopped outside Eisenlohr Hall, the house belonging to Interim Penn President Larry Jameson, where Gaza Solidarity Encampment participants arrested during the encampment sweep this morning are now speaking.
A UPennAlert warning of a large demonstration on 38th and Walnut streets was issued around 9:11 p.m.
“The same ones who arrested us this morning are [the] ones sitting in their cars,” protesters remarked.
9:03 p.m. · May 10 - Emily Scolnick, Katie Bartlett, and Neema BaddamPermalink
Protesters march toward Penn's campus
15 hours after Penn swept the Gaza Solidarity Encampment, around 150 pro-Palestinian protesters have gathered in University City and have begun marching toward Penn’s campus.
“UPenn, UPenn, you can’t hide, you get rich off genocide,” protesters chanted, shouting, “Long live the campus intifada.”
Penn revises total student arrest count; 'homemade weapons' found at encampment
A University spokesperson wrote in a statement to The Daily Pennsylvanian that nine Penn students were arrested during this morning’s sweep of the Gaza Solidarity Encampment, up from the seven previously reported. The spokesperson added that “homemade weapons” were found by police at the encampment.
“Penn Police have now confirmed 9 Penn students were among the 33 individuals arrested – the other 24 individuals have no Penn affiliation,” the spokesperson wrote. “The arrested individuals were given code violation notices for defiant trespass and were released quickly throughout the morning. Upon searching the encampment, Penn Police recovered several homemade weapons devised with chains, bolts, and other metal parts.”
Banners reading 'All eyes on Rafah' hang from Weitzman School of Design
Four banners reading “All eyes on Rafah” — in reference to the Gaza city facing the imminent threat of an Israeli invasion — are hanging from the top of the Stuart Weitzman School of Design’s Meyerson Hall. The banner appears to have been hung after the sweep of the Gaza Solidarity Encampment on College Green.
Meyerson Hall is among the buildings in the College Green area currently surrounded by a perimeter of barriers with access restricted to those with PennCards.
5:45 p.m. · May 10 - Ethan Young and Chenyao LiuPermalink
In Photos: The morning the encampment was dismantled
At 5:53 a.m. Friday morning, Penn Police officers entered the encampment with a megaphone, issuing a two-minute warning for protesters to leave.
Shortly after, officers in riot gear began to clear the eastern side of the encampment, using batons to overturn tents.
Here's how The Daily Pennsylvanian's photographers captured the moment the encampment was swept and dozens of protesters were arrested.
Penn Israel Public Affairs Committee thanks University, police for removing encampment
In a statement published on Instagram, the Penn Israel Public Affairs Committee thanked Penn administrators, Penn Police, and Philadelphia Police for dismantling the encampment in a “peaceful and non-violent matter.”
“Over the past two weeks, the unauthorized encampment on College Green has jeopardized the safety of Jewish students at Penn, and interfered with many university traditions,” PIPAC wrote, describing a number of incidents over the course of the demonstration that it viewed as problematic or antisemitic. “Contrary to what the members of the encampment continuously repeated, it was not a peaceful demonstration.”
PIPAC also said that they hoped that Interim Penn President Larry Jameson’s “unequivocal refusal” to consider divestment from Israel will allow the University to pursue increased collaboration with Israeli universities. The organization reiterated its hopes for the safe return of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza and “a quick ending to the ongoing war.”
Political science professor Tulia Falleti resigned from her position as chair of the Faculty Senate in response to Penn’s disbandment of the Gaza Solidarity Encampment early this morning.
In the letter, which was obtained by The Daily Pennsylvanian and sent to Interim Penn President Larry Jameson and Provost John Jackson Jr. at 1:34 p.m., Falleti wrote that she is resigning as she is “no longer confident of my ability to work collaboratively with our administration that has sent in the police to arrest its own students, staff, and faculty.”
A request for comment has been left with a University spokesperson.
“Today, I am heartbroken that my University, the institution where I have taught, carried out my research, and worked in service of our students, staff, and faculty in myriad ways for over twenty years has decided to send in the police to arrest its own students, staff, and faculty,” Falleti wrote.
She also added that she will continue to defend “academic freedom, free speech, and due process” in her position as a standing faculty member.
Politicians react to Penn's clearing of encampment
In the aftermath of the Gaza Solidarity Encampment’s dismantling early Friday morning, two of Pennsylvania’s most high-profile politicians praised Penn’s move to disband the encampment.
Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.), at a separate event in Philadelphia, said that — while protesters had the right to oppose “actions taken by a government" — some protests, and the rhetoric in them, crossed a line.
“It’s a great American tradition to protest,” Casey said. “But at some point, when a protest begins to affect the ability of others to get to class, or in this case, with an impending graduation, it begins to infringe upon others rights.”
Manuel Bonder, a spokesperson for Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, wrote in a statement that Penn’s leadership “made the right decision” during Friday’s morning sweep.“
Unfortunately, the situation at Penn reached an untenable point – and as the University stated publicly, the encampment was in violation of university policy, campus was being disrupted, and threatening, discriminatory speech and behavior were increasing,” Bonder wrote.
In a press release, 2016 Fels Institute of Government graduate and Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, Chief Public Safety Director Adam Geer, and City Solicitor Renee Garcia wrote they were “thankful” that the police’s action in clearing the encampment “occurred without violence.”
The statement also confirmed that Penn “requested general assistance” from the City of Philadelphia on May 1.
“From that day on, we were clear throughout that process that Philadelphia Police would provide backup assistance if arrests were made, or if the situation became dangerous or violent,” the statement wrote. “We were also clear that we expected Penn to explore every option to resolve this matter peacefully.”
In addition, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner confirmed earlier this morning that all 33 people arrested were given code violation notices, not criminal charges.
He declined to give further comment, citing a need to know if his information was “actually consistent” with the situation at hand. On a previous visit to the encampment, Krasner told The Daily Pennsylvanian that he had “been fed false information,” but declined to comment on the source of that information.
Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia 'commends' Penn for dismantling encampment
In a statement released this morning, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia commended Penn for "taking decisive action" to disband the Gaza Solidarity Encampment.
"While free speech and critical thinking are essential tenets both on and off college campuses, it had become increasingly clear over the past two weeks that the encampment fostered an atmosphere of intimidation and harassment, particularly towards Jews on campus," the statement reads. "At a time when antisemitism is at an all-time high, institutions of higher education have a responsibility to ensure that the safety and well-being of Jewish students and faculty is protected."
The statement also thanked Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, the Philadelphia Police Department, and Penn Police.
Penn Medicine professor responds to dismantling of Gaza Solidarity Encampment
Penn Medicine professor Benjamin Abella — who assisted in organizing multiple petitions and events in opposition of the encampment — responded to the dismantling of the Gaza Solidarity Encampment in a series of posts on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
In a video posted at 11:51 a.m., Abella suggested that the encampment exemplifies "a larger problem in American academia" due to a "failed" effort to help students think critically and grow into "productive adults."
"Supporting the right to protest is admirable, but faculty who encourage hate speech, who abet the glorification of violence, who allow students to conflate legitimate protest with insulting and harassing other groups, these faculty have betrayed our collective mission as educators," he said.
He added that these actions endanger students by encouraging behavior that leads to suspensions, arrests, and career and reputation damage and that he has "great sympathy" for these students.
“Teaching critical thinking to our students would mean clearly teaching them that there is a difference between decrying Israeli policies and shouting ‘Zionist pigs!,’ he said. “There is a difference between protesting perceived police aggression and shouting ‘oink, oink, piggy, piggy, we will make your lives shitty.’”
Abella called these chants, which have both been heard on Penn’s campus over the course of the encampment, “the petulant chants of toddlers.”
“Faculty at Penn stood by without honest critique of their charges. No faculty participating in the protests publicly advocated to rein in this behavior. This is shameful," he said, adding that the encampment's removal was “well-justified.”
“While the faculty who continue to agitate and fan the flames of protest remain comfortable … their misled students are increasingly exposed, confused, and receiving consequences for their actions," Abella said. "Until we place our academic house in order … we have failed our children and our students who look to us as role models."
"We can, we should, we must do better," he said.
In an additional post on X earlier this morning, Abella urged his followers to "remember the details, as many will twist the facts." He listed ten facts about the encampment, including the "extensive vandalism," "frequent chants of hate speech," and the fact that they were "removed peacefully."
AAUP-Penn condemns encampment arrests, disciplinary action against student protesters
The Executive Committee of Penn’s chapter of the American Association of Universities Professors issued a statement on Friday, condemning the University’s dismantling of the Gaza Solidarity Encampment “in the strongest possible terms.”
“This repressive action was a violation of the University’s Guidelines on Open Expression and a cowardly, shameful attempt to silence and punish speech that administrators simply do not want to hear,” the statement wrote.
The committee also condemned the establishment of disciplinary meetings “on specious grounds,” as well as the imposition of mandatory leaves of absence on six students on Thursday.
“Penn’s administration has violated a core principle of academic freedom: the right of students to freedom in learning, which includes their right to assemble and engage in political activity,” the statement reads. “We demand that all charges be dropped, that the university reverse the mandatory leaves and other sanctions imposed on students, that the university dismiss all disciplinary cases against students targeted for their participation in the encampment, and that the university cease its pattern of threatening students with discipline and arrest for nonviolent antiwar protest.”
The committee also described the encampment as “an example of nonviolent protest,” adding that although Penn administration characterized the encampment as dangerous, “the only threats of violence” were faced by students.
“It was not the encampment but the university administration that created a crisis,” the committee wrote.
The statement also claimed that University administrators violated Penn’s Guidelines on Open Expression on multiple instances. The committee called for an “entirely new system” to enforce the guidelines, which involved a shift towards faculty, staff, and student governance.
“This should be the beginning of a thorough redesign of university governance to provide faculty of all ranks, staff, grad workers, and students with real democratic power to write and enforce university policies,” the statement read. “Only then will we be able to defend our rights to academic freedom and open expression, including the right of students to assemble and engage in nonviolent protest.”
Seven people arrested were Penn students, per University spokesperson
Seven out of the 33 people arrested at the Gaza Solidarity Encampment this morning were Penn students, a University spokesperson told The Daily Pennsylvanian.
Philadelphia chapter of CAIR denounces Penn's decision to dismantle encampment
The Philadelphia and Pittsburgh chapters of the Council on American-Islamic Relations issued a statement Friday morning condemning Penn's decision to dismantle the Gaza Solidarity Encampment and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's remarks in Pittsburgh yesterday.
"Gov. Shapiro once again displayed his anti-Palestinian bias by calling on violence against peaceful protestors when local politicians and clergy had urged and worked towards a facilitated negotiation process between the students and Penn Administration," CAIR-Philadelphia Executive Director Ahmet Tekelioglu wrote in the statement.
He added that Penn should be "ashamed of yet another example of its disregard for its own community’s demands and well-being" and that CAIR-Philadelphia stands "in solidarity with these courageous peaceful protestors.
”Executive Director of CAIR-Pittsburgh Christine Mohamed added that Shapiro's position is "not only misguided but deeply concerning."
"This attempt to strip away fundamental freedoms under the guise of safety is a blatant abuse of power," she wrote. "We will remember this betrayal of public trust at the polls. The people will not forget.”
The Gaza Solidarity Encampment added five additional demands for the University in a statement posted to the Freedom School for Palestine's Instagram account on May 9, the day before police swept the encampment.
The demands include that Penn publicly "define" how it determines what constitutes "'apartheid' and 'genocide,' and the bar of 'moral evil,' the University's standards for divestment."
The encampment also wants Penn to establish ethical guidelines regarding "global programming," which includes "not approving study abroad programs to any regions where our student are denied entry based on their identity as Palestinians or Jews."
Other demands include the creation of an "independent Middle Eastern cultural space" and reparations in the form of a $30-$50 million fund to rebuild universities and educational facilities in Gaza. Finally, they are demanding "full amnesty for all Penn and Philadelphia community members."
Their three initial demands — which include that Penn divest financially from corporations that profit from "Israel's war on Gaza" and disclose the University's investments — remain in place."
These demands are not 'unreasonable,'" the statement read. "We will not stop until Penn meets our demands."
Jameson defends arrests, announces College Green closure
In an email to the Penn community, Interim President Larry Jameson defended the sweep of the Gaza Solidarity Encampment Friday morning and restricted the College Green area until further notice.
In an email to the University community — which was sent shortly after 9 a.m. from Jameson, Provost John Jackson Jr., and Senior Executive Vice President Craig Carnaroli — administrators explained that they acted after the campus had been “under threat” for too long a period of time.
“This is an unfortunate but necessary step to prevent violence, restore operations, and return our campus to our community,” Jameson wrote.
Access to College Green will remain “restricted” and will require PennCard access for entry. Jameson warned that those who do not have ID will “be asked to leave” or escorted off campus.
Read more about Jameson's message to the Penn community here.
Penn’s representatives in government ‘disappointed’ by University action
In a joint statement, Philadelphia City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier and Pennsylvania state Rep. Rick Krajewski (D-Philadelphia) said that they were “disappointed” by the University’s dismantling of the Gaza Solidarity Encampment and the involvement of riot police.
“From the start, we advocated for a negotiated, nonviolent resolution,” the statement wrote. “Sending a large militarized police force against students and faculty is an inappropriate and deeply concerning response.”
Gauthier and Krajewski, who are both Penn alumni and represent Penn in their respective levels of government, said they are “grateful” those arrested only received code violation notices, and urged the University to not further discipline students and faculty.
“Throughout time, Philadelphians have used peaceful protests to express their beliefs and fight for change, and we will always defend our constituents’ First Amendment rights,” the statement wrote.
All individuals from the Gaza Solidarity Encampment who had been arrested have now been released as of 9:05 a.m., according to legal observers and Philadelphia Police officers.
Nearly 50 people remain gathered at the corner of 61st Street and Girard Avenue. The crowd continues to chant “Who keeps us safe? We keep us safe” and “We will free Palestine within our lifetime.”
Approximately 33 individuals arrested 'without incident,' according to University spokesperson
Approximately thirty-three individuals were arrested at the Gaza Solidarity Encampment on College Green Friday morning, according to a University spokesperson.
“At approximately 5:30am this morning, Penn Police, with support from the Philadelphia Police Department, took steps to remove the unauthorized encampment on College Green,” the spokesperson wrote to The Daily Pennsylvanian.
“Protestors were given multiple warnings that they were trespassing and offered the opportunity to voluntarily leave and avoid citation,” the spokesperson wrote. “Those who chose to stay did so knowing that they would be arrested and removed.”
The spokesperson added that approximately 33 individuals were arrested “without incident” and cited for defiant trespass.
Around seven protesters remain on the corner of 34th and Walnut streets. They are chanting “Not another nickel, not another dime, no more money for Israel’s crimes” and “Disclose, divest, we will not stop, we will not rest.”
34th Street remains closed to pedestrian and vehicle traffic south of Walnut Street. Penn Police officers are directing people east down Walnut Street.
Two arrested individuals have been taken to the hospital to address medical concerns, according to an encampment organizer and a Philadelphia Police officer.
As of 8:41 a.m., three more individuals had yet to be released from the station at 61st Street and Girard Avenue.
The Gaza Solidarity Encampment has now been fully cleared from College Green as the remaining trash trucks make their way out of the area.
Several students and faculty are looking through fences on the perimeter as several officers from Penn Division of Public Safety and the Philadelphia Police Department remain in the area.
College Green closed; buildings accessible via PennCard
Six-foot barricades currently surround College Green on all four sides. There is a perimeter between Fisher Fine Arts Library and the Stuart Weitzman School of Design, as well as blocking off Locust Walk.
“The area of College Green remains closed. Buildings are accessible via PennCard access,” a message from the Division of Public Safety read. “Van Pelt Library is accessible through the Rosengarten entrance, on the ground floor at the east end, facing Levy Park.”
Over 30 encampment members gather near police station
Over 30 people affiliated with the Gaza Solidarity Encampment have gathered at the corner of 61st Street and Girard Avenue after being directed to stand a block away from the police station.
Some of those gathered are individuals who have been released after being arrested and processed, while other individuals are joining them in solidarity.
After originally being sent to stand across the street from the station at the intersection of 61st Street and Haverford Avenue, six Philadelphia Police officers forced those released and their supporters a full block away from the station. They are now gathering at the intersection of 61st and Girard Avenue.
Reporters for The Daily Pennsylvanian were also asked to move away from the police station.
One encampment member alleged that police officers are now misdirecting those released toward a nearby bus station instead of down the street and in the direction of the crowd.
The crowd has chanted “Fuck you, Larry” and “Larry’s asshole.” Cars passing by have honked to show support for those gathered.
Penn faculty members escorted away from 34th and Walnut streets
Five Penn faculty members — who had sat on the intersection of 34th and Walnut streets — were escorted away by police.
Three of the professors were brought down 34th Street by police officers. The officers did not respond to multiple inquiries by the professors and members of the press about whether the professors were under arrest.
Professors of English Chi-ming Yang and Dagmawi Woubshet said they were initially told they were under arrest, but were not placed in zip tie handcuffs and were led away without being formally detained.
Two other faculty members were also pushed away by police officers.
Woubshet said after the incident that the day’s events were a “low point at this university.”
Six-foot tall fencing erected across Locust Walk, around part of College Green
Penn employees are assembling a perimeter of six foot tall fencing along the northwest edge of College Green. The fencing is blocking off Locust Walk entirely, cutting off the main walkway through Penn's campus.
Other employees continue to dismantle tents, remove Palestinian flags and signage from the site of the encampment.
Around five Penn employees could be seen carrying out tents, signs, flags, backpacks, and other belongings from the encampment and loading them into a trash truck parked on Locust Walk. The belongings are being shredded in the truck.
The Philadelphia Police Department has begun to block off the intersection of 61st Street and Haverford Avenue in front of the entrance to the station.
Additional police vehicles are blocking off neighboring streets, including Girard Avenue.
Arrested individuals arrive at PPD 19th District station
Several individuals from the encampment have arrived at the Philadelphia Police Department 19th District station on 60th St. and Haverford Ave. So far, five individuals have exited the station after being processed.
After exiting the station, individuals have proceeded across the street from the station to stand with another officer.
Several streets near Penn's campus are partially or fully closed. Portions of Walnut and Chestnut streets are closed in both directions. The westbound lane of Spruce street remains open.
The closures are between 32nd and 38th streets, according to NBC10.
Police enter encampment on west side of College Green
Police in riot gear entered the encampment on the west side of College Green, searching tents using flashlights and batons. As they did, several officers tossed signs, chairs, and bedding around.
An officer loudly said, “Remember guys, we aren’t supposed to be touching anything.” Police continued to overturn supplies left from the encampment.
Protesters attempt to block police van from leaving
Approximately eight protesters lined up at the 34th and Walnut exit of Locust Walk to block a police van from leaving while chanting, “Faculty with students, free Palestine."
A police van pulled up behind the line of protesters, forcing them to move and let the van leave.
As a protester was removed from the Ben Franklin statue on College Green, they screamed “help” and was lifted by their arms and legs to the police van.
They later stood and walked the remainder of the way to the van after being aided by police officers.
Police officers have made at least three arrests from the west side of the encampment, in addition to the individuals arrested near the Ben Franklin statue.
Using clubs, officers broke down and overturned tents, disassembling some as they swept the encampment. Multiple individuals were pulled out of tents to be arrested.
Press, legal observers escorted away from encampment
Members of the press, including reporters for The Daily Pennsylvanian, were escorted from the area where arrests are taking place. Both Penn and Philadelphia police officers physically pushed reporters and photographers from the area.
Legal observers were also forced to leave and threatened with arrest if they did not move.
The protesters do not appear to be resisting arrest as individuals continue to be put in custody. So far, five individuals have been removed from the statue.
The first protestor was removed from the statue and arrested using zip tie handcuffs. Organizers continued to sing “We shall not be moved” as the individual was escorted away under custody.
Police in riot gear have formed a border around one side of the Ben Franklin statue on College Green. A police officer repeatedly announced “Do not resist” over a megaphone.
Police in riot gear arrived at the encampment as thirty protesters including Penn students linked arms and surrounded the Ben Franklin statue on College Green.
Officers served papers to the protesters containing a written warning of trespass.
Penn Police officers removed zip ties from metal barricades around the encampment.
"PPD, KKK, IOF they're all the same," protesters chanted.
Encampment organizer says they plan to 'escalate' if police attempt to remove them
An organizer affiliated with the encampment said that the protesters will not move until their demands are met. They added that the encampment will “escalate” if police try to remove them.
The organizer said that the encampment participants reject the narrative that they are causing harm. They criticized the administration for failing to respond to demands and address harassment from counterprotesters.
“Admin has tried to harass us, push us off, come into our space armed,” the organizer said.
Penn Police entered the encampment, announcing participants are trespassing and issuing a two-minute warning to disperse.
Some protesters are leaving while others chanted, “free Palestine.”
Approximately 30 protesters linked arms around the base of the Ben Franklin statue, singing “we shall not be moved.” A police officer told them to pack up to avoid arrests.
Early on Friday morning, approximately 100 Philadelphia Police officers arrived at the University and stationed themselves near the encampment.
At 5:39 a.m., at least 6 additional police cars pulled up at 34th and Walnut streets with flashing lights on. Police with bikes closed off exits on both sides of the encampment.
Encampment members moved supplies out of the encampment in Penn Residential Services moving carts.
“We are staying here until our demands are met," they said. "We’re not leaving.”
