Important Message on Protest and Encampment on Drexel's Campus

An estimated 75 pro-Palestinian protesters began to set up an encampment on campus at the Korman Quad. The protesters gathered at City Hall and marched to campus as part of Philly Palestine Coalition’s Nakba Day march to call for a ceasefire in Gaza.

With campus demonstrations occurring across the country, the setting up on an encampment on Drexel's campus raises understandable concerns about ensuring everyone’s safety. There have been many well-documented instances of hateful speech and intimidating behavior at other campus demonstrations.

Drexel Police and Public Safety are closely monitoring this demonstration to ensure that it is peaceful and non-disruptive to normal operations, and that participants and passersby will behave respectfully toward one another. We will be prepared to respond quickly to any disruptive or threatening behavior by anyone.

To underscore the point: We will not tolerate the destruction of property; the harassment or intimidation of our students, faculty or professional staff; or threatening behavior of any kind, including speech that is explicitly racist, antisemitic, or Islamophobic, that creates a hostile environment for members of our community based on race, color, national origin, religious affiliation, or shared ancestry. Nor will we allow anyone who is not a member of the Drexel community to trespass into our buildings and student residences. At the present time, our buildings are on lockdown and open only to those with clearance from Drexel’s Public Safety.

We will keep you apprised of developments as events unfold.

Sincerely,

John Fry
President

Mel Singleton
Vice President for Public Safety

Subir Sahu
Senior Vice President for Student Success