Drexel University in Philadelphia was placed on lockdown as anti-Israel protesters took over the campus. University officials coordinated with Philadelphia police, and university President John Fry demanded an immediate end to the encampment. This protest is one of many continuing at campuses nationwide, despite the school year nearing its end.
“This encampment must end,” Fry said in a statement on Sunday. “I want to remind Drexel students who are participating in this protest that they could face disciplinary action for violating our Student Code of Conduct. Encampment participants who are unaffiliated with Drexel are unlawfully trespassing.”
Police were visible in large numbers on campus throughout the weekend.
Protesters at Drexel are demanding the university divest from companies doing business with Israel, disclose its investments, and publicly support a cease-fire in Gaza.
The disruption at Drexel is part of a broader trend of universities struggling to manage political unrest while preparing for graduation and commencement ceremonies. Some institutions have been forced to cancel these events.
President Joe Biden delivered the commencement address at Morehouse College in Georgia on Sunday. While his invitation to speak had been controversial, protests during his speech were limited. Only a few students and faculty members turned their backs on him as he spoke.
Hundreds of Morehouse alumni had signed a letter urging the college to rescind Biden’s invitation before the event.
Morehouse College defended the students and faculty who protested during Biden’s speech. “Peaceful assembly is core to the school’s social justice tradition,” Morehouse said in a statement. The administration “fully supports and defends the right to peacefully protest and the expression of one’s views openly.”
“We are proud of the resilient class of 2024’s unity in silent protest, showing their intentionality in strategy, communication, and coordination as a 412-person unit,” the statement added.
