Pro-Palestinian protesters set up encampment at University of Pennsylvania after march across Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Pro-Palestinian protesters have set up an encampment at the University of Pennsylvania.
The encampment comes after a day of protests across Philadelphia. More than 100 pro-Palestinian protesters marched through Center City on Thursday.
Students at Temple walked out of their classes and rallied at the Bell Tower. Then, the Philly Palestine Coalition joined forces with students and rallied at City Hall. They marched to Drexel University and then to Penn's campus.
Protestors say they want the universities to respect the right of students to peacefully assemble and protest.
The student-led demonstrations are part of protests against the Israel-Hamas war happening on college campuses nationwide.
Sophia Rosser is participating in the encampment outside College Hall on Penn's campus.
"In this encampment, the mood has been incredible," Rosser said on Friday. "I already feel like, even though it hasn't been a full day yet, just the community that we're building, it's just really beautiful to see."
Emma Herndon said the goal of the encampment is for the university to disclose its investments, divest from Israeli companies and defend the voices of Palestinian students.
"We've just been reminded of how lucky we are to be in this position receiving this support when, meanwhile in Gaza, there are countless people who are without the same food, water or access to hygiene that we have here," Herndon said.
Both women said they welcome Jewish students and supporters of Israel to engage in constructive dialogue.
"It's welcoming," Rosser said. "It's open to everyone, and we hope people come and join and just have conversations with us."
However, Temple University Professor Ofra Bazel-Shoham said Jewish students at colleges across the Philadelphia area do not feel welcomed.
"Students are really scared," Bazel-Shoham said. "They're not focused on studying. They're focused on if they will be safe to walk on campus."
She said many of her friends died during the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel.
"I lost so many friends, but what surprised me the most is the wave of hate that came after that," Bazel-Shoham said. "We need to make sure that our college, that our universities are safe learning environments for all and on these days, especially for Jewish people"
A Penn spokesperson said the school has not received any reports of threatening or violent behavior.
University officials said they support the right of the community to protest peacefully and in keeping with university policy. They said in part: "However, the right to free expression and to protest on our campus is not and can never be absolute. We will not permit protest and speech when it devolves into words and actions that violate Penn's policies, disrupt University business, or contribute to an intimidating, hostile or violent environment on our campus."
In a letter to the Penn community, university interim president Larry Jameson said leaders convened a Muslim, Arab Palestinian student advisory group at the beginning of the semester as part of their "ongoing work to build a more inclusive community, including the Presidential Commission on Countering Hate and Building Community, which will soon share its final report with recommendations for addressing hate, including Islamophobia, on our campus."
In the meantime, Princeton University ordered students to take down their tents, and police arrested two Princeton graduate students for allegedly trespassing earlier Thursday.
The Philly Palestine Coalition said Thursday's march through Center City was two miles. The coalition said it was to support the student movement for Palestine. However, Jewish organizations argue it's fueling antisemitism.
Chopper 3 was over Temple Thursday afternoon as about 100 students walked out of their classes and rallied at the Bell Tower in support of Palestine.
"Princeton can no longer ignore, must acknowledge, must issue a statement that at the very least begins to acknowledge and reckon with the devastation we've encountered in the last six months," Emanuelle Sippy, a Princeton student, said.
More pro-Palestinian protests continue to happen at colleges across the country and police have made several arrests.
"Our turnout is really great. There's such high energy. A ton of students came out to this," Rosangela Lopez, a Princeton student, said.
However, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia's Jason Holtzman claims these protests have fueled antisemitism.
"I think the community is feeling a great deal of angst right now looking at protests happening across our country," Holtzman said.
Holtzman said the federation has been warning Jewish families to be vigilant when going out, especially during the Passover holiday.
"Just seeing the rise in radicalism, extremism and praise of terror, it's very concerning to our community and a lot of people are feeling very fearful and anxious," Holtzman said.
The Philly Palestine Coalition has not announced whether members plan to hold any follow-up protests.
Meanwhile, Temple University Hillel said it'll continue to hold Passover events, despite the protests.