Protests at Emory University, SCAD continue in support of pro-Palestinian movement

Caption

Students protest outside the Midtown campus of the Savannah College of Art & Design on May 1.

Credit: Screenshot

As unrest continued at college campuses across America on Wednesday, protests flared again at Emory University after social media posts encouraged protesters to gather at the quad in support of the pro-Palestinian movement.

At 2 p.m., reports by The Emory Wheel said 50 people were marching through the Haygood-Hopkins gate on campus, holding signs, and chanting about divesting from Israel and Israeli companies. A student called for the resignation of Ilya Nemenman, the chair of the University Senate Committee for Open Expression. 

At about 3:50 p.m., a group entered the Oxford Road building. Amid the protests, the bomb squad was on campus after a suspicious bag was spotted outside the Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church. The site has been cleared.

Across town, students at the Savannah College of Art and Design’s Midtown campus gathered on Peachtree Street on to wave signs and encourage honks of support from passing motorists. Across the street, The Temple’s Jewish preschool did not allow children to use the playground outside.

At a press conference today, Gov. Brian Kemp thanked law enforcement “who are standing strong and maintaining order at protests.” He was signing into law public safety bills. 

“If you’ve broken the law, if you’re damaging property, if you are assaulting especially police officers, you should have harsh penalties,” Kemp said.

Kemp added, “We are not going to allow Georgia to become the next Columbia University.” Nearly 100 protesters were arrested on April 30 after taking over one of the New York City campus buildings. 

For seven days in a row, protesters have made Emory a regular venue. More than 20 people, including students and professors, were arrested on April 25. Emory President Gregory L. Fences later apologized for the “mischaracterization” of protesters and said he was devastated that “members of our community were caught up in law enforcement activity enforcing the removal of the encampment.”

“As we enter the final week of the academic year, I am focused on protecting our campuses, supporting peaceful expression for all members of our community, and finding ways to foster healing and rebuild trust,” Fenves said.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

This story comes to GPB through a reporting partnership with Rough Draft Atlanta.