The University of Pennsylvania told Fox News Digital on Friday that 33 people were arrested this morning during the clearing of an anti-Israel camp on its Philadelphia campus.
“At approximately 5:30 a.m. this morning, Pennsylvania Police, with assistance from the Philadelphia Police Department, took steps to clear an unauthorized encampment on College Green,” the spokesperson said. “Protesters were given multiple warnings of trespassing and were given the opportunity to leave voluntarily and avoid prosecution.
“Those who chose to remain did so knowing they would be arrested and removed,” the spokesperson added. “Approximately 33 people were arrested without incident and charged with trespassing.”
UPenn Interim President J. Larry Jameson and other university leaders released a joint statement this morning saying the campground removal was “regrettable but necessary to prevent violence, resume operations, and return the campus to the community.” “This is a significant measure.”
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An anti-Israel encampment will be cleared on Friday at the University of Pennsylvania campus in Philadelphia. (WTXF)
“We have had serious intentions for nearly two weeks to engage the College Green protesters who were notified on April 26, the second day of camp, that they were in violation of Penn policy. “We have been working hard to ensure this,” the administrators wrote. “This aid effort was met with unreasonable demands and a dangerous escalation of factions.”
“Our communities have been under threat and our campuses have been in turmoil for far too long, and passion for the cause cannot override the safety and operations of the university,” they added. “Early this morning, we took action to clear the encampment with the assistance of local law enforcement. We would like to thank the City of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Police Department for their assistance.”
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Philadelphia police arrested an anti-Israel demonstrator at the University of Pennsylvania on Friday, May 10th. (WTXF)
UPenn said access to the College Green area where the encampment was located “will be restricted until further notice.”
“Protesters repeatedly refused to disperse their camp, produce identification, cease threatening, loud and discriminatory language, and comply with instructions from Penn State administrators and public safety,” the university said.
University of Pennsylvania associate professor Dagmawy Oubshet told WTXF that the removal of the garrison is “a sad day, a dark day for this university.”
Protesters can be seen being taken into custody at the University of Pennsylvania on Friday, May 10th. (WTXF)
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“Students have been participating in the right to peaceful free speech, protected by the First Amendment, to demonstrate the genocide that took place in Gaza, on behalf of Gaza in support of Palestine. It was their actions,” Oubshet said.
