At the student protest at UPenn, passions are clear and dialogue is lacking

Chants and banners announce the presence of the protest camp at the University of Pennsylvania from blocks away. But many of the protesters don’t want to talk.

The chants, banners and tents announce the presence of the student protest camp at the University of Pennsylvania from several blocks away. Unlike other colleges witnessing demonstrations around the Israel-Hamas war, UPenn’s campus is open and accessible to all. Visitors may approach the encampment that’s grown under the new leaves of the trees on College Green in recent days, but that does not mean they are welcome. “Don’t talk to him,” a person advised passersby on Monday, whether they are connecting with a reporter or a lone counter protester. “Don’t engage.” There is little, if any, spirit here of trying to change hearts or minds. “There’s been a lot of harassment, like doxxing,” said Sarah, a designated media liaison representative for the protesters, as she explained why she does not want to give her last name for fear her private information would be found and spread online.