Swarthmore College suspended six students after they created a protest encampment, ostensibly for vandalizing campus property. This action sparked outrage from the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), who argue that the suspensions disproportionately affect students of color and first-generation students. The college asserted that the encampment violated multiple policies and warned the students to disperse. President Valerie Smith warned of further actions if the protests continued. The situation is further complicated as Swarthmore is under investigation related to antisemitic harassment, reflecting broader tensions surrounding pro-Palestinian activism in higher education institutions.
Over the first two days of May, a total of six Swarthmore College students were interim suspended for the creation of a campus encampment, raising concerns about due process.
Swarthmore's Students for Justice in Palestine expressed that the suspensions reflect a pattern of exploiting the vulnerabilities of student protesters, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds.
Swarthmore College President Valerie Smith stated that the protesters had vandalized campus property and would face escalated responses for failing to disperse from the encampment.
The college is among 60 institutions being investigated for potential antisemitic harassment, highlighting broader tensions around the pro-Palestinian movement on campus.
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