The University of Pennsylvania campus has been infiltrated by anti-Israel radicals who are distributing guides that provide instructions on how to break into buildings, escalate protests, create weapons, and administer first aid. These guides are being passed around among agitators, coaching them on tactics such as building shields out of trash cans, barricading doors, and cutting through locks with tools like bolt cutters and angle grinders. The guides also provide tips on how to handle injuries during violent protests, with advice on treating pepper spray and rubber bullet wounds.
The campus has been the site of ongoing anti-Israel protests, including the establishment of a “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” where students are demanding the school disclose its financial ties to Israel, divest from the country, and provide protections for the protesters. University officials called on the Philadelphia Police Department to disband the encampment, but the department declined, citing no imminent threat. The police department stated that they would respond based on the specific circumstances of each situation and that they remain committed to facilitating safe demonstrations while upholding First Amendment rights.
The guides for the agitators also include instructions on establishing a propaganda team to disseminate press releases and work with the media. They advise on preparing statements before announcing occupations, distributing flyers, and engaging with the media. However, the guides caution against individuals becoming too visible and being branded as leaders, emphasizing the importance of maintaining anonymity to protect participants from potential repercussions.
Similar protests and occupations have occurred on college campuses across the country, with reports of student radicals taking over buildings at Columbia University and demands for elite schools like UCLA, Harvard, and Yale to divest from Israel. Radical groups associated with far-left organizations backed by dark money and liberal mega-donor George Soros, such as the National Students for Justice in Palestine (NSJP), have been implicated in these protests. The protests come in the aftermath of Hamas waging war on Israel, which has sparked a wave of antisemitism on campuses and led to concerns for the safety of Jewish students.
The University of Pennsylvania has been managing ongoing protests and encampments on campus, reaching out to city authorities for assistance in maintaining community safety. The Philadelphia Police Department has a memorandum of understanding with the university’s police department to provide support as needed but does not publicly discuss specific engagement strategies. The campus protests have escalated to the point where Jewish students are being advised to leave campus for their own safety, amid concerns of heightened antisemitism and threats against Jewish individuals. The protests reflect broader tensions and conflicts related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with activists advocating for divestment and support for Palestine.
