Police arrest a protestor on the campus of Swarthmore College on Saturday morning. (Credit: Zack Kreines for the Swarthmore Phoenix)
Swarthmore College authorities, accompanied by local law enforcement, dismantled a pro-Palestinian encampment on Trotter Lawn, resulting in the arrest of nine individuals on Saturday morning.
The action followed days of escalating tensions between student protesters and college administrators over demands for the institution to divest from companies linked to Israel.
The encampment, established on April 30 by members of the suspended student group Swarthmore Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and their supporters, was named the "Hossam Shabat Liberated Zone" in honor of a Palestinian journalist killed in Gaza.
Protesters set up tents and barricades, calling for the college to disclose its financial holdings and divest from entities associated with the Israeli government, specifically citing Cisco Systems due to its contracts with Israel.
College President Valerie Smith issued multiple warnings to the protesters, stating that their actions violated campus policies and posed safety concerns, especially with the involvement of individuals unaffiliated with the college.
Most of the protestors covered their faces to hide their identities, making it difficult for the college to determine if they were students or not.
In a statement issued by the college, Smith emphasized that the protest's promotion on social media attracted external participants, raising security issues and drawing attention from federal agencies, including the FBI.
Despite these warnings, the encampment persisted.
On Friday, the college began issuing interim suspensions to identified student participants, barring them from campus activities and facilities. By Saturday morning, law enforcement officers from multiple agencies, including the Delaware County Sheriff's Office and local police departments, moved in to disband the encampment.
Protesters who refused to leave were arrested, with some alleging the use of excessive force during the process.
The college's actions have sparked debate within the campus community. Some students and faculty members have expressed concern over the administration's handling of the protest, citing the importance of free speech and peaceful demonstration. Others have supported the college's decision, emphasizing the need to maintain campus safety and order.
This incident at Swarthmore reflects a broader trend of pro-Palestinian activism on college campuses across the United States, where students have organized demonstrations calling for institutional divestment from companies linked to Israel.
Similar protests have occurred at universities across the country, often met with disciplinary actions and arrests.
