On Friday night, police arrested nineteen pro-Palestinian protesters, including six University of Pennsylvania students, on the university’s campus in Philadelphia. The students were attempting to occupy Fisher-Bennett Hall to protest the school’s refusal to negotiate in what they described as “good faith.”

The protesters were detained around 9 p.m. by university and Philadelphia police. Twelve individuals received citations for failing to disperse and follow police commands and were subsequently released. However, seven protesters remain in custody and face felony charges, including one individual charged with assaulting a police officer.

This protest followed the clearing of a two-week-long “Gaza solidarity encampment” on the campus by police a week prior. During the brief occupation of Fisher-Bennett Hall, protesters attempted to block three entrances using wooden pallets, wire, and overturned furniture, creating makeshift barricades with messages like “Free Palestine.” The hall houses the English, cinema and media studies, and music departments and was targeted as part of ongoing student protests nationwide demanding divestment from assets affiliated with Israel and amnesty for disciplined protesters.

University officials stated that the police recovered lock-picking tools and homemade metal shields, and found that exit doors had been secured with zip-ties and barbed wire. Windows were covered with newspaper and cardboard, while outside entrances were blocked with bicycle racks and metal chairs.

The protest coincided with Penn’s alumni weekend and approaching graduation ceremonies. In an Instagram post, the organizers, Penn students against the occupation of Palestine, announced their plan to rename Fisher-Bennett Hall to Refaat Alareer Hall in honor of a Palestinian poet killed in Gaza.

The university said in a statement that it remains focused on maintaining campus safety and security. The situation continues to develop.