This story is developing and will continue to be updated.
A week after the university cleared the Gaza Solidarity encampment from the College Green, pro-Palestinian activists attempted to occupy Fisher Bennett Hall at 34th and Walnut Streets on Friday evening, just as graduation ceremonies began. And so.
At least three protesters were arrested around 9 p.m., and barricades, zip ties and water bottles were visible at three entrances to Fisher Bennett, although they appear to have failed to fully take control of the building. . Protesters then spilled into the streets, prompting the cancellation of an alumni event at the Penn State Museum, with people marching down South Street before dispersing.
The occupation was announced in an Instagram post around 8 p.m. by the Penn Student Union Against Occupation of Palestine, which called on members of the Penn and Philadelphia communities to bring “flags, pots, pans, noise makers” and megaphones. I called on them to do so. The building was renamed Refaat Alalil Hall after the Palestinian poet who was killed in Gaza in December.
In a statement on PAO's Instagram, the occupation was the result of a “series of escalations by the Penn administration,” including a refusal to negotiate “in good faith,” and cited arrests by Pennsylvania police and disciplinary action by the university.
A video posted to the Penn Up Against the Occupation Instagram page shows several Philadelphia police officers forcibly removing five protesters from Fisher Bennett Hall. One demonstrator fell to the ground after being chased away.
The demonstrators resisted being removed and shouted abuse at the police. After the protesters were removed, eight police officers began leaving the building before the video cut.
The post's caption reads, “We need you right now.”
