In the earlier days of Thursday night, Drexel University and Philadelphia officers arrived at the pro-Palestinian camp at Drexel, asking activists to leave the premises. Activists left on their own authority.
Around 5:20 a. m. , lots of police officers on scooters arrived at the Korman Family Quad, as activists hustled to collect their belongings — carrying with them many cooler, garbage bags, and backpacks. A dozen folding chairs and tables, a flower, cardboard boxes, and sacks were all that was left of the 35-tent Drexel camp by 5:45 a. m.
In less than 30 hours activists abandoned the page and gathered recently on the corner of 33rd and Market Streets to restructure. The group told each other “good work, get out, ” as the small crowd headed up 33rd Street raising a Palestinian flag and chanting “ Free, free Palestine. ”
Activists did not immediately respond to a request for comment. “For then the camp is closed, ” an camp spokesperson told The Inquirer.
Drexel authorities ordered the camp to dissolve, with the Philadelphia Police Department on page to help, according to Philadelphia Police Sgt. Eric Gripp. “The guests picked up their belongings for the most part and left by their own free would, ” said Gripp.
No arrests were made.
“ While Drexel University is committed to protecting the right of its community members to assemble peacefully and express their views, I have the responsibility and authority to regulate campus gatherings in order to ensure everyone’s safety and well-being and to fulfill our mission to educate our students, ” Drexel ’s president John A. Fry said in a speech Thursday night.
“Since there will be increased police exercise around Korman Quad at this time, I ask that you avoid the area between 32nd and 33rd Roads and Chestnut and Market Streets this morning until I send word that it has been secured. ”
He called the camp, which he said has large numbers of people who are not affiliated with Drexel, unlawful.
“The language and chants coming from this demonstration, underscored by protesters ’ repugnant “demands, ” must now come to an end, ” Fry said. “Moreover, our Public Safety workers have been diverted from their job to assist and defend our whole Drexel area. That is intolerable. ”
Fry wrote that the school has repeatedly asked for the demonstrators to depart, but at least until Thursday night, they have no.
“We are taking every precaution to ensure an orderly and peaceful departure of the camp, ” Fry said.
The camp began on Saturday with about a few houses that protesters set up on the Korman Quad after a protest from Center City commemorating the 74th celebration of the Nakba, when Palestinians were expelled from Israel. It has since grown to include about 35 houses and 75 individuals as of Wednesday night, officers told The Inquirer Tuesday evening.
Camp members demanded Drexel visit Israel’s battle in Gaza a holocaust and provide amnesty for student activists. The protesters also were calling for the cancellation of Drexel ’s Hillel and Chabad, two Israeli college institutions for students, according to requirements on their Instagram.
The requirements are the latest in a flood of school protests in the United States that are calling on institutions to publish their endowments and sell them from corporations profiting off the combat.
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