TOWN OF POUGHKEEPSIE – Demonstrators claiming to be “Pro-Palestine” began a tent encampment on the grounds of the historic Vassar College campus on Sunday and were acknowledged by School President Elizabeth Bradley. While noting that the tents were a violation of school policy, she permitted them provided certain criteria were met by the demonstrators.
Late Thursday night Bradley sent an email to students, staff, and faculty, noting that things were changing, and not in a positive manner. Originally the protesters and school administrators had agreed that the demonstration would be limited to Vassar College students. “On Wednesday,” Bradley wrote, “Several actions altered the situation,” saying students used social media to invite “People unaffiliated with Vassar to campus to support the demonstrators.” Bradley indicated that a group of protesters that she believes are not affiliated with the liberal arts college loudly demonstrated and intimidated administrators while also disturbing students trying to study in the library.
“Additionally, the demonstration included chants and signage that, regardless of the speakers’ intent, have anti-Semitic connotations,” which further intimidated members of the student body, faculty, and staff, Dr. Bradley said. For security reasons, according to the president, she will ask the protesters to promptly and voluntarily remove the encampment “before large groups of external parties may come to our campus” on Friday. The president did not indicate that police would be called in should the encampment remain intact.
