Encampment Day 6: Penn admin enter encampment

Penn administrators entered the encampment around noon on Thursday and took several photos of those inside, prompting chants of “shame” from participants. Associate Vice Provosts for University Life Tamara Greenfield King and Sharon Smith, and Office of Student Affairs Executive Director Katie Bonner, walked into the central area of tents and took photos of several people inside the encampment using their phones. An individual in the encampment described the interaction as “harassing,” and added that it appears administrators are continuing to try and divide the encampment into two groups: those who hold PennCards and those who do not. After University administrators left the encampment, an individual on a megaphone suggested that Penn students in the encampment put on masks. The interaction marks another step in increased tensions between those in the encampment and University officials. It is unclear if this is a step towards officials asking those on College Green for identification, as has been warned by Penn officials. In an April 27 statement, organizers wrote that they “will continue to occupy this space” until the encampment’s demands are met — signaling that they will not comply with a Friday night demand to disband the encampment. #news #protest #rally #college #penn

---