Philadelphia university president reacts after at least 75 anti-Israel protesters descend on campus
Drexel University president said violence and harassment would not be tolerated
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A group of at least 75 anti-Israel agitators staged an encampment at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Saturday evening.
According to a statement by Drexel University President John Fry, 75 anti-Israel protesters set up an encampment on campus at the Korman Quad on Saturday evening.
Fry said the individuals participated in the Philly Palestine Coalition’s Nakba Day march to call for a ceasefire in Gaza.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}19 UPENN ANTI-ISRAEL PROTESTERS ARRESTED AFTER ATTEMPT TO OCCUPY BUILDING: POLICE
Anti-Israel students and faculty of Drexel University, Temple University and the University of Pennsylvania demonstrate as they spend the night on an encampment on the University of Pennsylvania campus in Philadelphia on April 25, 2024. (Getty Images )
The president said that encampment raised "understandable concerns" about safety on campus.
"There have been many well-documented instances of hateful speech and intimidating behavior at other campus demonstrations," Fry said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}BLACK STUDENT ERUPTS ON ANTI-ISRAEL 'WHITE LIBS' FOR BLOCKING PATH ON CAMPUS: ‘COSPLAYING AS THE OPPRESSED’
Drexel Police Public Safety is monitoring the encampment to "ensure that it is peaceful and non-disruptive" and that participants "will behave respectfully toward one another," Fry said.
"We will be prepared to respond quickly to any disruptive or threatening behavior by anyone," Fry said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}An encampment at Drexel University from April 2024. The Drexel University president said campus destruction, harassment and intimidation would not be tolerated. (Getty Images )
The president of the Philadelphia university reiterated that they would "not tolerate" campus destruction, harassment or intimidation of students, faculty or staff and any speech that is "explicitly racist, antisemitic, or Islamophobic."
"Nor will we allow anyone who is not a member of the Drexel community to trespass into our buildings and student residences," Fry said.
Drexel University's Public Safety said that all buildings are on lockdown and open only to those with clearance.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}An anti-Israel encampment is removed Friday at the University of Pennsylvania campus in Philadelphia. (WTXF)
The protest at Drexel University came just one day after 19 individuals were arrested at the nearby University of Pennsylvania.
Police confirmed to Fox News Digital that there were 19 arrests following the protest at the university's Fisher Bennett Hall.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}According to the university, six students were among those arrested, while 12 people were cited for failure to disperse, among other charges. Twelve individuals were later released, FOX 29 reported.