PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – It was a quiet day on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania on Saturday. Students were seen dressed in their caps and gowns as they prepared to graduate.
In the meantime, former students were also back on campus for the alumni weekend. The day was in stark contrast to what happened on Friday evening.
A total of 19 people were taken away in handcuffs after university officials said pro-Palestinian protesters broke in and attempted to occupy Fisher-Bennett Hall on campus. The university said the exit doors were secured with zip ties and razor wire and barricaded with metal chairs and desks.
There were tense moments between police and demonstrators a week after the university cleared a protest encampment on the university’s College Green.
Seven of the people arrested in this latest incident now face felony charges, including one for assaulting a police officer.
“It’s definitely a distraction and a frustrating distraction,” said Penn senior James Wolf.
CBS News Philadelphia spoke with Wolf while he was on campus with his family. Wolf is graduating this weekend. He finds it disappointing that a moment he has been looking forward to for years has been overshadowed by the protests on campus.
CBS News Philadelphia
“I just wish this would pass. I know as seniors at Penn we’re all trying to get past this and graduate and enjoy our time, and it’s definitely taken away from our four years and our experience here” , Wolf said.
Alumni Ashley Staller has been back to campus before for alumni weekend, but she said the atmosphere was different this time.
“I was looking forward to walking around campus and walking through my memories, but unfortunately things are blocked off and we can’t do that,” she said.
Staller said she can’t help but think about the impact of the protests on students.
“And normally for graduation you walk all the way down Locust Walk. I can still remember when we did it and my heart breaks for them that they don’t get to experience that,” she said.
A university spokesperson said seven Penn students were among the 19 people arrested.
It is unclear what discipline they will face if they participate in the protest.
