TL/DR –
Several arrests were made during a pro-Palestinian protest at the University of Pennsylvania. The protestors, part of the Penn Gaza Solidarity Encampment, are demanding the university to “disclose Penn’s investments, divest from the Israeli apartheid state, and defend pro-Palestine protestors and scholars.” They also stated they will occupy Fisher Bennett Hall on campus until the school divests from Israel.
Several Arrested at Pro-Palestinian Protest at University of Pennsylvania
Several arrests were made Friday night when pro-Palestinian protestors gathered at the University of Pennsylvania’s campus. CBS News Philadelphia reported multiple arrests at 34th and Walnut near Fisher-Bennett Hall. While the number of arrestees remains unknown, both Penn and Philadelphia police took several people into custody.
The university disseminated a community alert asking people to avoid the crowded area and use caution as police were investigating. Freedom School Palestine released a statement stating that members of the Penn Gaza Solidarity Encampment had gathered to occupy Fisher Bennett Hall.
The Encampment voiced their demands for the university to disclose its investments, divest from the Israeli state, and defend pro-Palestinian protestors and scholars. They pledged to maintain their presence at the hall until the university divests from Israel.
Later in the evening, approximately 100 pro-Palestinian protestors chanted and linked arms in the middle of 34th Street, under the watchful eye of dozens of Philadelphia police officers. The protestors left the campus area around 10:15 p.m., but police remained on the scene.
A week earlier, police were on campus dismantling the pro-Palestinian protest encampment and making arrests. According to a university spokesperson, 33 people were arrested and later released.
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