DPS Statement on Large Protest on December 3rd
On Sunday, December 3rd at approximately 5:30pm a scheduled Pro-Palestine protest organized by Philadelphia area activist groups began in the area of 17th and Market Street in the Rittenhouse Square area of Philadelphia. Philadelphia Police were onsite and monitored the protest, and police traveled with the demonstrators as they proceeded to march west on Walnut Street and eventually joined a vigil for the University City Townhomes property at 40th and Market Streets.
Penn Police were onsite monitoring the march as it approached Penn’s campus and continued to monitor the area in partnership with Philadelphia Police until the protest concluded at approximately 8:20pm. Some of those interspersed in the group spray painted graffiti along the march route, including messages about the ongoing war as well as general anti-establishment, anti-police messaging. Penn Police are working closely with Philadelphia Police to identify the individuals responsible for this vandalism. There were no physical injuries to anyone involved.