Amid tensions, Emory tries to focus on graduation

The quad at Emory University was mostly quiet and empty Sunday following three days of protests.

News cameras were replaced with cellphones as friends and classmates lined up to take graduation pictures in the section of campus where more than a dozen students were arrested Thursday amid the ongoing war protests.

There were the occasional shouts of “free Palestine” from young people in the area during a 4 p.m. protest — with a few police officers watching closely nearby. Evidence of recent days’ vandalism on buildings was still visible. For example, “FREE PALESTINE” could still be seen on the exterior of the Michael C. Carlos Museum despite efforts to remove the graffiti.

As graffiti was spray-painted on at least one building on the quad Saturday night, Emory police came in and broke up the crowd. President Gregory Fenves later released a statement condemning the actions of a few individuals — whose vandalism followed two days of peaceful protests.

More graffiti appeared on the university’s sign overnight Sunday, making it read “Emory University of genocide.”

Credit: Contributed Photo

A similar scene unfolded at the University of Southern California’s main campus over the weekend.

The university’s Tommy Trojan statue was vandalized with the words, “Say no to genocide,” spray-painted on it Saturday night, according to NBC Los Angeles . The statue was power-washed on Sunday.

At Emory, Fenves said the incidents followed similar vandalism on the quad last Monday and that Emory police would be coordinating with other law enforcement agencies to investigate.

Earlier on Sunday, Emory police issued criminal trespass warnings to six people suspected of participating in the Saturday night vandalism, officials said. Their names were not released.

Credit: David Aaro / David.Aaro@ajc.com

“None of the individuals are affiliated with Emory. They were all escorted off campus property,” Emory spokesperson Laura Diamond told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “The police investigation into this incident continues and further charges may be pending. Chief Burt Buchtinec thanks the community members who alerted police with descriptions of the individuals.”

While the university hasn’t seen any arrests so far this weekend after Thursday, the demonstrations at some college campuses weren’t peaceful. More than 200 protesters were arrested Saturday at Northeastern University, Arizona State University, Indiana University, and Washington University in St. Louis. The New York Times reported that more than 700 protesters have been arrested on U.S. campuses since April 18.

Emory’s commencement ceremony on May 13 on the quad will feature Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice, president and CEO of the Morehouse School of Medicine, as the scheduled speaker.

“I am dedicated to keeping this campus safe as community members finish classes, continue their research, sit for exams, and prepare for Commencement,” Fenves said.

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