A pro-Palestinian protest at Pomona College in Claremont, California, led to President Gabrielle Starr issuing a warning that any students involved would face immediate suspension. The protesters refused to identify themselves to campus staff and verbally harassed them, including using racial slurs. Starr stated that Pomona students involved would be suspended, and students from other Claremont Colleges would be banned from Pomona’s campus and disciplined at their own schools. All individual participants not part of The Claremont Colleges community were banned from campus immediately. Community members who protest in compliance with the institution’s demonstration policy will not be affected.
The ongoing protests at Pomona College involved masked individuals occupying a portion of the campus center for a week. The college initially refrained from taking action as the protesters were exercising their right to protest. However, when the protesters verbally harassed staff and refused to identify themselves, Starr intervened. The protesters had voluntarily removed their tents but continued to harass staff, leading to a heavy police response and at least 18 arrests. The president noted that the protests impeded on the rights of others and were actively destructive to the values of the community.
The protesters at Pomona College had occupied the Smith Campus Center lawn for a week. In response to scheduled events, campus staff began removing signs and other equipment left behind by the protesters. The president said that staff and administrators offered to help move the materials to the Walker Wall but were met with continued verbal harassment and refusal by the protesters to identify themselves. The protesters then entered Alexander Hall under false pretenses and occupied the president’s office. Starr condemned the harassment and refusal to identify oneself on campus, emphasizing the protesters’ actions as unacceptable.
Starr’s letter to students addressed the unacceptable behavior of the protesters, particularly the verbal harassment and refusal to identify themselves. She stressed the importance of upholding the values of the community and expressed disappointment in the protesters’ actions. The president outlined the consequences for Pomona students involved, including immediate suspension, and the disciplinary measures for students from other Claremont Colleges. The heavy police response and arrests indicate the seriousness of the situation and the college’s commitment to maintaining campus safety and order.
The episode at Pomona College highlights the challenges of balancing the right to protest with the need to maintain a safe and respectful campus environment. Starr’s response underscores the importance of upholding community values and addressing unacceptable behavior. The protesters’ actions, including harassment and refusal to cooperate, resulted in immediate consequences and a heavy police presence. Moving forward, the college will likely review its policies and procedures to prevent similar incidents and promote a culture of peaceful and respectful protest on campus.
In conclusion, the pro-Palestinian protest at Pomona College led to President Starr issuing a warning of immediate suspension for students involved in the protest. The protests involved verbal harassment, refusal to identify themselves, and occupation of campus buildings, prompting a heavy police response and arrests. The college emphasized the need to uphold community values and maintain a safe and respectful environment on campus. The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges universities face in balancing the right to protest with the necessity of maintaining order and security. Moving forward, Pomona College will likely review its policies to prevent future incidents and promote peaceful and respectful demonstrations on campus.