ST. LOUIS — Washington University has erected steel fencing along the eastern edge of its campus.
A university spokesperson said the fences were set up for commencement activities. University-wide ceremonies are May 13.
“We’re setting up a stage and some other structures for the commencement festival,â€Â Julie Hail Flory wrote in an email to the Post-Dispatch Thursday.
But the fencing will also separate the campus from protesters, who plan to rally Friday across the street.Â
The fences went up Thursday along Skinker Boulevard. By Friday morning, the university had installed them at the southeast corner of campus along Forsyth Boulevard, plus gates at Skinker and Lindell Boulevard, and at Forest Park Parkway and Hoyt Drive.
Workers put up temporary fencing on Washington University's Danforth campus along North Skinker Boulevard on Thursday, May 2, 2024.
David Carson, Post-Dispatch
The fences come right before the American Muslims for Palestine group plans to hold a protest in Forest Park at 5 p.m. Friday near the corner of Lindell and Skinker.
It’s been almost a week since a Saturday protest at Washington University ended with over 100 arrests, prompting sharp criticism from some students, faculty and alumni . The fences border an area where protesters attempted to set up an encampment before police began arrests.
In an email to the school’s community sent around 11 p.m. Thursday, university officials wrote there would be “changes to campus access†in the weeks ahead.Â
Access to the east end of campus, including Brookings Hall, Tisch Park — site of the encampment — and “all buildings in the vicinity†will be restricted to members of the school’s communities.Â
The email said the fencing was set up “in order to ensure pedestrian safety and keep the area clearâ€Â while crews prepared for the commencement festival.
Workers put up temporary fencing on Washington University's Danforth campus along North Skinker Boulevard on Thursday, May 2, 2024.
David Carson, Post-Dispatch
“Until further notice, anyone wishing to enter campus from the east side will need to show a university ID at one of the entrances,†the email reads.
Flory didn’t say if Washington University normally sets up fences for commencement activities, nor did she respond Friday morning to additional questions about the fencing.
Student Penny Thaman, though, said it isn’t normal.
“This did not happen last year,†said Thaman, a sophomore and an activist with protest organizer Resist WashU. “And I think the reasons are pretty obvious.â€Â
At least one university department encouraged its workers to go home early as a result of Friday’s protest.
In an email, McKelvey School of Engineering Dean Aaron Bobick encouraged employees to head home at 4 p.m. “out of an abundance of caution.â€
Flory said it’s up to individual departments on how they advise their faculty and students to avoid potential disruptions. She said no changes had been made university wide.
A protest at ºüÀêÊÓƵ University on Wednesday did not escalate to a clash between protesters and police like last weekend’s protest at Washington University.
Jones praised the ºüÀêÊÓƵ University protest in a statement Friday, which ended peacefully with the exception of two students who were detained toward the end of the night after a brief fight.
The statement said city police will be “on hand†Friday. However, Jones’ administration said, protests that occur on Washington University’s campus are not under the jurisdiction of the city police.
“We are hopeful that both the protesters and university administration can emulate the precedent set by Wednesday night’s protest,†Jones’ office said in the statement.
Penelope Thaman, a Washington University student and media liaison for the Gaza solidarity encampment, speaks about what Thaman calls police violence in breaking up a pro-Palestinian demonstration on the school's campus over the weekend in ºüÀêÊÓƵ, on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. Video by Vanessa Abbitt, vabbitt@post-dispatch.com
Vanessa Abbitt
Photos: Protests over Gaza met with arrests at Washington University in ºüÀêÊÓƵ
Protesters attempting to camp in support of Palestine link arms as police prepare to arrest them on Saturday, April 27, 2024, on Washington University’s campus in ºüÀêÊÓƵ. Dozens were arrested during the protest.
Christine Tannous, Post-Dispatch
Police arrest protesters attempting to camp in support of Palestine on Saturday, April 27, 2024, on Washington University's campus in ºüÀêÊÓƵ. Dozens were arrested during the protest.Â
Christine Tannous, Post-Dispatch
Police arrest protesters attempting to camp in support of Palestine on Saturday, April 27, 2024, on Washington University's campus in ºüÀêÊÓƵ.Â
Christine Tannous, Post-Dispatch
Protesters and police both tug on a protester who was being arrested during a demonstration in support of Palestine on Saturday, on Washington University’s campus in ºüÀêÊÓƵ. Dozens were arrested during the event.
Christine Tannous, Post-Dispatch
A protester gives his name to bystanders as police arrest him as he attempts to camp in support of Palestine on Saturday, April 27, 2024, on Washington University's campus in ºüÀêÊÓƵ. Dozens were arrested during the protest.Â
Christine Tannous, Post-Dispatch
Police arrest protesters attempting to camp in support of Palestine on Saturday, April 27, 2024, on Washington University's campus in ºüÀêÊÓƵ. Dozens were arrested during the protest. Photo by Christine Tannous, ctannous@post-dispatch.com
Christine Tannous, Post-Dispatch
Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier films as police arrest protesters attempting to camp in support of Palestine on Saturday, April 27, 2024, on Washington University's campus in ºüÀêÊÓƵ. Dozens were arrested during the protest. Photo by Christine Tannous, ctannous@post-dispatch.com
Christine Tannous, Post-Dispatch
A police officer steps on a Palestinian flag as a protester attempting to camp in support of Palestine is arrested on Saturday, April 27, 2024, on Washington University's campus in ºüÀêÊÓƵ. Dozens were arrested during the protest. Photo by Christine Tannous, ctannous@post-dispatch.com
Christine Tannous, Post-Dispatch
Protesters in support of Palestine link arms around campers as police show up to their encampment Saturday, on Washington University’s campus.
Christine Tannous, Post-Dispatch
Protesters in support of Palestine pray as police vans are open behind them on Saturday, April 27, 2024, on Washington University's campus in ºüÀêÊÓƵ. Dozens were arrested during the protest. Photo by Christine Tannous, ctannous@post-dispatch.com
Christine Tannous, Post-Dispatch
Police arrest protesters attempting to camp in support of Palestine on Saturday, April 27, 2024, on Washington University's campus in ºüÀêÊÓƵ. Dozens were arrested during the protest. Photo by Christine Tannous, ctannous@post-dispatch.com
Christine Tannous, Post-Dispatch
Police arrest protesters attempting to camp in support of Palestine on Saturday, April 27, 2024, on Washington University's campus in ºüÀêÊÓƵ. Dozens were arrested during the protest. Photo by Christine Tannous, ctannous@post-dispatch.com
Christine Tannous, Post-Dispatch
Police arrest protesters attempting to camp in support of Palestine on Saturday, April 27, 2024, on Washington University's campus in ºüÀêÊÓƵ. Dozens were arrested during the protest. Photo by Christine Tannous, ctannous@post-dispatch.com
Christine Tannous, Post-Dispatch
Police arrest protesters attempting to camp in support of Palestine on Saturday, April 27, 2024, on Washington University's campus in ºüÀêÊÓƵ. Dozens were arrested during the protest. Photo by Christine Tannous, ctannous@post-dispatch.com
Christine Tannous, Post-Dispatch
Police carry a protester attempting to camp in support of Palestine on Saturday, April 27, 2024, on Washington University's campus in ºüÀêÊÓƵ. Dozens were arrested during the protest. Photo by Christine Tannous, ctannous@post-dispatch.com
Christine Tannous, Post-Dispatch
Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier, center, and Aldermanic President Megan Green, left, speak to a police officer as police arrest protesters attempting to camp in support of Palestine on Saturday, April 27, 2024, on Washington University's campus in ºüÀêÊÓƵ. Dozens were arrested during the protest.Â
Christine Tannous, Post-Dispatch
Protester Tena Mahmood chants in support of Palestine on Saturday, April 27, 2024, in Forest Park across from Washington University's campus in ºüÀêÊÓƵ. Photo by Christine Tannous, ctannous@post-dispatch.com
Christine Tannous, Post-Dispatch
Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein, center, links arms with others as they surround campers protesting in support of Palestine as police show up to their encampment on Saturday, April 27, 2024, on Washington University’s campus in ºüÀêÊÓƵ. Dozens were arrested during the protest.
Christine Tannous, Post-Dispatch
Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein, left, links arms with others, including Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier, second from right, and Aldermanic President Megan Green, right, as they surround campers protesting in support of Palestine as police show up to their encampment on Saturday, April 27, 2024, on Washington University's campus in ºüÀêÊÓƵ.
Christine Tannous, Post-Dispatch
Protester Gracynn Kunkel helps set up a tent as an encampment goes up Saturday, April 27, 2024, on Washington University’s campus in ºüÀêÊÓƵ.
Christine Tannous, Post-Dispatch
Kait Killgo and others supporters of Palestinians in Gaza set up camp at Tisch Park at Washington University, after protesters marched from Forest Park to the university campus on Saturday, April 27, 2024.
Christine Tannous, Post-Dispatch
Protesters set up an encampment outside Olin Library on the Washington University campus on Saturday, April 27, 2024.Â
Christine Tannous, Post-Dispatch
Several politicians joined activists at a pro-Palestine protest at Washington University on Saturday, April 27, 2024, including Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein (fifth from left), Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier (holding blue umbrella) and ºüÀêÊÓƵ Aldermanic President Megan Green (to the right of Sonnier).Â
Jacob Barker, ºüÀêÊÓƵ
After blocking Skinker Boulevard, pro-Palestine protesters head to the Washington University campus on Saturday, April 27, 2024. Photo by Jacob Barker, Post-Dispatch
Jacob Barker, Post-Dispatch
Protesters opposed to Israeli military action in Gaza blocked Gaza war protesters blocking Skinker Boulevard at Lindell Boulevard on Saturday, April 27, 2024. Photo by Jacob Barker, ºüÀêÊÓƵ
Jacob Barker, Post-Dispatch
Washington University students and supporters gather to create pro-Palestinian art Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Forest Park across from the university. The event was held a day after more than 100 protesters in support of Palestine were arrested on the university’s campus.
Christine Tannous PHOTOS, Post-Dispatch
A Washington University alumni, who declined to give their name said they were arrested during a protest in support of Palestine on campus last night, creates pro-Palestinian art Sunday, April 28, 2024, in Forest Park across from Washington University in ºüÀêÊÓƵ. The event was held a day after over 100 protesters in support of Palestine were arrested on Washington University's campus. Photo by Christine Tannous, ctannous@post-dispatch.com
Christine Tannous, Post-Dispatch
Police arrest protesters attempting to camp in support of Palestine on Saturday, April 27, 2024, on Washington University's campus in ºüÀêÊÓƵ.Â
Christine Tannous, Post-Dispatch
Police arrest protesters attempting to camp in support of Palestine on Saturday, April 27, 2024, on Washington University's campus in ºüÀêÊÓƵ. Dozens were arrested during the protest.
Christine Tannous, Post-Dispatch
Protester Neveen Ayesh, front, along with other supporters of Palestine, marches Saturday, April 27, 2024, through Washington University's campus in ºüÀêÊÓƵ. Police arrested dozens of protesters after they attempted to set up camp on university grounds. Photo by Christine Tannous, ctannous@post-dispatch.com
Christine Tannous, Post-Dispatch
Supporters of Palestine march on Saturday, April 27, 2024, through Washington University's campus in ºüÀêÊÓƵ.
Christine Tannous, Post-Dispatch
A protester, who identified himself by his first name, Ethan, tapes a Palestinian flag to the top of a tent Saturday, April 27, 2024, on Washington University's campus in ºüÀêÊÓƵ. Police arrested dozens of protesters after they attempted to set up camp on university grounds. Photo by Christine Tannous, ctannous@post-dispatch.com
Christine Tannous, Post-Dispatch
A protester chants along with others in support of Palestine after setting up an encampment Saturday, April 27, 2024, on Washington University's campus in ºüÀêÊÓƵ. Police arrested dozens of protesters after they attempted to set up camp on university grounds.
Christine Tannous, Post-Dispatch
Protesters in support of Palestine link arms around campers as they continue to set up an encampment as police show up to their encampment on Saturday, April 27, 2024, on Washington University's campus in ºüÀêÊÓƵ. Dozens were arrested during the protest. Photo by Christine Tannous, ctannous@post-dispatch.com
Christine Tannous, Post-Dispatch
Rob Wild, facing camera, Washington University Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, speaks with protesters in support of Palestine, including Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier, far right, and Aldermanic President Megan Green, second from right, on Saturday, April 27, 2024, on Washington University's campus in ºüÀêÊÓƵ. Dozens were arrested during the protest.
Christine Tannous, Post-Dispatch
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