Temple University placed its Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapter on an interim suspension after protesters disrupted a career fair on Sept. 26, Philly Voice reported.
A group of 12-15 anti-Israel protesters disrupted the career fair to oppose weapons manufacturers including Lockheed Martin and Ghost Robotics, during which a student along with three other outside agitators were arrested and released without charges, Philly Voice reported. All SJP operations, including meetings and activities, are temporarily suspended in compliance with the university’s Student Conduct Code.
“Freedom of speech and assembly are the foundation of the First Amendment and fundamental to Temple University’s mission as a public university and place of learning,” university president Richard M. Englert, said in a statement following the disruption. “This means that Temple fosters an environment that is open to a diversity of thought, opinion and peaceful expression. As the university has previously noted, however, there is a line between freedom of expression and disruptive, harassing activity.”
Students and faculty of Drexel University, Temple University, and the University of Pennsylvania occupy College Green on the third day of the protest encampment at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on April 27, 2024. (Photo by MATTHEW HATCHER/AFP via Getty Images)
The SJP chapter accused Temple and Philadelphia police of “shoving, grabbing and assaulting” protesters as they were leaving, claiming one female protester had her “top pulled” and was placed in a chokehold while another had her hijab taken off and was pushed down the stairs, Philly Voice reported. Temple Public Safety denied these claims after reviewing bodycam footage.
Police had to use “reasonable force” to arrest the protesters who were resisting, and the department considered the protest a “significant disturbance,” according to a Facebook post from Temple Public Safety. (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: School District Employee Signed Up For Trainings On ‘Justice In Palestine’)
Law enforcement officials hold the right to remove any individual protesting who is not complying with university policies, or with federal, state and local laws, according to university guidelines. Temple Public Safety is working with the District Attorney’s office regarding potential disorderly conduct charges and other similar offenses, Philly Voice reported.
Demonstrators, whether from the public or a part of the Temple community, are required to assure that educational operations will not be disrupted or obstructed, the guidelines state. University policy prohibits the use of “amplified sound” inside a campus building, or outside if it disrupts “activity related to the University’s educational process.”
Temple SJP held a “Philly: Emergency Solidarity Rally” one day after Hamas’ attack on Israel in 2023. The group also encouraged its anti-Israel supporters to wear keffiyehs as a way to show solidarity for Palestine.
“As will always be the case, Temple remains dedicated to promoting peace, justice and understanding,” Englert said in the statement.
Temple University and Temple SJP did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
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