On Saturday, police detained nine individuals, including seven protesters, during the dismantling of a pro-Palestinian encampment on the Swarthmore College campus. Among those arrested were a current student and a former student of the institution, while the other seven were activists unaffiliated with the college.
Valerie Smith from Swarthmore stated that social media-driven protests had drawn the attention of law enforcement, including the FBI, which encouraged a swift end to the camp.
Smith noted, “Many, if not all, protesters, both students and non-students, were completely hidden and tried to remain unidentified.” Video footage shared on Instagram captured Student Affairs Vice President Stephanie Ives’s arrival at the camp with police by 8 a.m.
Ives addressed the protesters, saying, “The actions you are involved with put this community at risk. We can’t even identify you, so we don’t know who is a student and who isn’t.”
The police informed protesters that they had ten minutes to pack their belongings. Chief Raymond Stafflett from Swarthmoreborough Police warned, “Leave Swarthmore College’s property — or you’ll be arrested.”
When students resisted departing, about 30 police officers began taking down the camp. Protesters chants of “Free Palestine” filled the air as officers dismantled tents, threw chairs, and ripped down signs.
Footage showed several police officers lined up, arresting students in handcuffs, with some being pinned to the ground. Amidst the chaos, protesters could be heard shouting derogatory remarks against the police.
Established on Wednesday, the camp’s formation followed the university’s suspension of seven students earlier that week. Notably, Swarthmore is among 60 universities facing potential federal funding cuts due to allegations of anti-Semitic discrimination and harassment on campus. Recently, President Trump highlighted his administration’s actions against Harvard, stripping it of its tax-exempt status amid ongoing tensions with Ivy League institutions.
