Pro-Palestinian Protesters End Encampment At Drexel

PHILADELPHIA — After less than a week, the pro-Palestinian protest encampment on Drexel University's campus has been taken down.

Philadelphia Police said the group was notified of a clearing out operation by about 5 a.m. Thursday.

The clearing out occurred with no arrests or any uses of force, police said.

"Philadelphia is the birthplace of liberty and we absolutely stand to protect people's first amendment rights," Philadelphia Police Sergeant Eric Gripp said. "At the same time, we also have to enforce our laws. Again, this is private property and Drexel can make their own policies."

Drexel is opening to full capacity Thursday, Gripp said.

The group, which has called itself the Drexel Palestine Coalition, has issued the school several demands aiming to "hold Drexel accountable for the harm it has caused through its investments linked to the ongoing genocide in Gaza, and for the repression of student activism."

They set up the camp Saturday, which led Drexel to lock down its campus Monday. Classes were held virtually Monday and only certain people were permitted on campus.

Tuesday marked a partial return to normalcy on campus, with some in-person learning resuming.

Drexel President John Fry Tuesday said he "authorized all necessary steps to clear the encampment safely."