Anti-Israel encampment erected at Schenley Plaza, dismantled after one week
“We will not let those that want to disrupt and demonize Israel define our value and purpose,” Marcus said.
A group calling itself “Pitt Divest from Apartheid” set up an encampment on the University of Pittsburgh’s campus, then subsequently moved to city-owned Schenley Plaza, on April 23.
The group said it was protesting Israel’s war against Hamas and the university’s investment in Israel and sought a statement from Pitt officials condemning what it called “genocide in Gaza.” Additionally, speakers at a rally on April 28 repeatedly called for the destruction of Israel.
Political activist and presidential candidate Cornel West, U.S. Rep. Summer Lee and Allegheny County Council member Bethany Hallam all visited the encampment and offered encouragement to those occupying the public park. While the protest was mostly peaceful, two people were arrested and charged with misdemeanor trespassing while on the university lawn.
The Pitt encampment was dismantled on April 30.
The protest modeled similar encampments at other universities, including Columbia University and the University of Southern California.
University administrations and law enforcement have struggled with their reactions to the protests, some of which have occurred on university property and have included antisemitic and pro-Hamas rhetoric, such as “Hamas, we love you,” which was chanted at New York’s Columbia University.
The chants and anti-Israel activities have left many Jewish students around the country fearing for their safety and feeling unsupported by their universities.
Dan Marcus, executive director of Hillel JUC of Pittsburgh, was happy to see Pitt officials move the protest from the school’s property.
“We are deeply grateful to the senior administrators at Pitt for not permitting the students to encamp on university grounds and we appreciate their leadership,” Marcus said. At the same time, he said he was “deeply disappointed” that the city allowed the anti-Israel protesters to take over Schenley Plaza.
“Hillel JUC has been present for students throughout the week as a safe place and place to be in community,” Marcus said. “We will continue, as always, to provide opportunities for gatherings to engage with Israel in a meaningful way.”
Hillel, he said, works with the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, the university’s administration and security, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police to ensure Jewish students have a safe, positive and meaningful Jewish life on campus.
“We will not let those that want to disrupt and demonize Israel define our value and purpose,” Marcus said.
Chabad on Campus’ Co-Director Sara Weinstein said the Jewish students she knows were “proud and grateful” to celebrate Passover on campus.
“The encampments are merely a frustrating distraction which causes students to be disappointed with authorities for allowing it in the first place and permitting it to go on so long,” she said.
Weinstein noted that the university’s administration has been “very responsive,” especially compared to other campuses, and that the need was for the city to react.
Chabad at Pitt Rabbi Shmuli Rothstein said that more than 30 Pitt students went to the encampment to counter-protest.
He said it was “painful” to see outsiders and other students promote “hateful ideology that leads to pain and hurt” in the Jewish community.
“While they claim this is not a form of antisemitism, by reading their signs and talking to them, this is clearly another form of a double standard held against the Jews,” he said.
While tensions in the community may be heightened, Shawn Brokos, the Federation’s director of community security, is quick to note that the Jewish community is safe in Oakland.
“We’ve not seen any violence,” she said. “There are no special instructions for the Jewish community. They might feel uncomfortable, but they shouldn’t feel worried walking through Oakland.” PJC
David Rullo can be reached at drullo@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.
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