19 Arrested for Attempting to Occupy Building, Including 6 Penn Students

Nineteen pro-Palestinian protesters, including six University of Pennsylvania students, were arrested for attempting to occupy a school building, according to university police on Saturday.

This incident followed the dismantling of a protest encampment on campus a week prior, where nine students were arrested. Other colleges across the country have also been dealing with similar protests as they prepare for commencement season.

The action was announced by Penn Students Against the Occupation of Palestine at Fisher-Bennett Hall, urging supporters to bring various items. University police, along with city police, took action to evacuate the protesters and secure the building.

During the clearing of the building, police found lock-picking tools and homemade shields. The building was barricaded with zip ties, barbed wire, and other items by the protesters.

Seven of the students remained in custody for felony charges, while others were issued citations for failing to disperse. The attempted occupation came after a previous protest encampment was cleared from the campus, where 33 people were arrested.

In a separate incident, a group protesting the war in Gaza temporarily took over a building at the University of Chicago campus.

The University of Chicago administrators condemned the protest for jeopardizing public safety. Protesters inside the building eventually left when campus police officers gained access to the building.

The large-scale campus protests against Israel-Hamas war have spread across the United States and to other countries. Some protesters have dismantled their encampments while others have reached agreements with college administrators.

Nearly 3,000 people have been arrested on U.S. campuses due to these protests, but as summer break approaches, campuses have become calmer. Colleges are still vigilant for any disruptions during commencement ceremonies.