Local News

Emerson warns of ‘imminent’ police action at encampment protesting war in Gaza

Administrators said that they have “credible reports” of some protesters harassing and targeting Jewish supporters of Israel.

Students in protest block an alley by Emerson College on Wednesday. David L Ryan/Globe Staff

April 24, 2024

Emerson school officials are warning the student protesters currently encamping in downtown Boston near Emerson College that law enforcement intervention could be “imminent.”

Boylston Place Alley — where more than 100 students were gathered Wednesday night, some with plans to spend the night there as part of a pro-Palestinian protest — is not solely owned by Emerson, the school said Wednesday.

Emerson administration said Boston police and Boston Fire reached out to them on Wednesday, citing a city ordinance prohibiting tents in a public right-of-way. City officials said students are blocking pedestrian access to the alley, are too noisy, and are creating safety hazards by blocking doors and fire hydrants.

“The Commissioners of the BPD and BFD directly informed Emerson’s leadership that some actions of the protestors are in direct violation of city ordinances, which could result in imminent law enforcement action,” Emerson administration said in a statement. “These are not Emerson College rules but laws and ordinances enforced by the city and the commonwealth.”

Around 100 students were crammed into Boylston Place Alley Wednesday evening, but no police officers were nearby. More than a dozen tents and food supplies were covered in tarps to protect against the light spring rain. Students were clustered at the entrance of the alley but were letting people through.

The arch over the entrance to the Boylston Place Alley had a Palestinian Flag and a banner calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. – Molly Farrar

The school said they support students’ right to protest. Emerson Students for Justice in Palestine — which is not officially affiliated with the university — organized the encampment and are demanding that Emerson cut “all financial ties with Israel,” call for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, and drop disciplinary action against students.

Juwaria Jama, a sophomore at Emerson and a member of Emerson SJP, told Boston.com at the encampment Wednesday that Boston and Emerson police have been patrolling the area. There was an increase in officers on Wednesday after the school’s warning, Jama said.

“We know that this is a sign of intimidation. They’re trying to intimidate us, but we feel very safe within the community that we’ve cultivated here,” Jama said.

Administrators also said that they have “credible reports” of some protesters harassing and targeting Jewish supporters of Israel, students, staff, faculty, and neighbors passing through the alley.

“This type of behavior is unacceptable on our campus,” read the statement, which was shared with the Emerson community.

Jama said the group hasn’t engaged with any counter protesters.

“The point of our encampment and the point of the work that we’re doing is to call for the liberation of Palestine and an end to the siege on Gaza,” Jama said. “Our goal and our job is not to counter these people who do not agree with us.”

Emerson said they’ve contracted Windwalker Security to staff the alley “to ensure safe and consistent access to the alley as required by law.” The security staff have been at the encampment since Tuesday night, Emerson’s student newspaper reported.

Boston police and Boston fire did not return a request for comment Wednesday.