Encampment opposers petition Penn president to shut down pro-Palestinian protest on campus

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — After a full week entrenched on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania , protesters at the pro-Palestinian encampment remain steadfast, refusing to leave until the university agrees to their demands to divest from Israel.

Jewish students, faculty and alumni delivered a 3,000-signature petition to Penn interim President Larry Jameson Thursday morning, urging him to take action. University officials and students have claimed instances of harassment and intimidation from those in the encampment.

“They’re yelling antisemitic things all the time and, as a Jew, it’s very concerning for where this world is going,” Matthew Halpert, a Penn dental student, told NBC10. “Obviously there should be freedom of speech, but if it gets out of hand like at Columbia and other universities, people should take action. Administrations should take action and they should do what they need to do.”

Carrying Israeli and American flags, dozens marched from 34th and Walnut streets to Jameson’s office to deliver the petition.

“As President Jameson himself has said in an email, the encampment has violated Penn’s policies. It has veered into hate speech and threats,” medical school professor Benjamin Abella said. “I personally have witnessed harassment of Jews who have stood at the periphery of this encampment.”

The university maintains that protesters — who are from Penn, Drexel, Temple and other organizations — are violating school facilities policies . Trespass notices have been posted on barricades across from the encampment on College Green. University officials also said the protesters are in violation of the Guidelines on Open Expression by refusing to show identification when asked.

“We have opened several student disciplinary cases through the Center for Community Standards, and they are currently proceeding in accordance with our process. Any faculty and staff violations will follow the relevant disciplinary processes. These actions, while unfortunate, are necessary,” a Penn spokesperson said on Tuesday.

The group of Jewish students and faculty then marched over to the encampment on College Green and met face-to-face with protesters, shouting dueling chants at one another. Police moved barricades between them.

Penn facilities crews also took down some signs that the protesters had put on the Ben Franklin statue in the middle of College Green. One of those signs read, “PENN: YOUR SILENCE IS VIOLENCE.” Crews then power-washed chalk messages off of the brick walkway leading up to the statue.

Encampment organizers say they have the support of Jewish students, who also do not approve of the Israeli government’s actions. Necca, one of the encampment organizers, who is not a Penn student, said their actions are not antisemitic.

“I am as against the genocide that happened during the Holocaust and all the millions of people who died as a result of a Nazi regime — as I am against what is happening in Gaza right now,” she emphasized.

As for concerns that the encampment will be removed, she said she and other protesters will wait and see.

“Anything can happen, and we’re trying to prepare for it as best we can,” she said.

There have been some heated conversations between members on both sides, but nothing has escalated further.

‘Stink spray’ douses protesters’ belongings

Tensions picked up on Wednesday after a man sprayed a chemical substance on some of the protesters’ belongings. Officials said a man came by and sprayed a “sulfur-based stink spray” on food, tents and other items.

No one was hurt. The man was arrested by Penn police and will face disorderly conduct and harassment charges, the university said .

“The university tries very, very hard to say we are the dangerous ones. I urge people to look at who’s really putting us at risk,” said Eliana Atienza, a Penn student and one of the encampment organizers.

Also on Wednesday, Philadelphia City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier and District Attorney Larry Krasner stopped by the encampment.

“I came here to support the students. They have a right to protest,” Gauthier told NBC10. “They have the right to free speech. And I’m hoping Penn recognizes that and they also have the right to do that without penalty.”

“I am frankly willing to work with anybody who wants this to remain lawful — who wants the Constitution observed and who wants to make things peaceful,” Krasner said.

On the other side of the aisle, Republican Senate nominee Dave McCormick filmed a video in front of the encampment for his campaign and posted it on social media. McCormick said the encampment should be cleared because of the intimidation Jewish students have been facing. He was joined by Eyal Yakoby, one of the Penn students who filed suit against the university in late 2023, which claims that officials did not do enough to combat antisemitism and protect students.