Initially held at Schenley Plaza, the protest involved hundreds of participants not associated with the University and included multiple clashes with police, resulting in an arrest when protesters moved onto university property. The protest was part of a larger movement across college campuses in the U.S. calling for universities to boycott and divest from companies and organizations linked to Israel.
Local leaders across the political aisle were quick to comment on the chaos as it broke out Sunday night.
GOP at-large County Councilman Sam DeMarco, also the chair of the Republican Committee of Allegheny County, issued a strong condemnation of the encampment on Twitter.
University Police and officials should be given any assistance necessary to expel these trespassers from their campus. Students engaging in this unlawful act should be suspended and expelled. Faculty participating should be disciplined and terminated. Trespassing instigators… https://t.co/QwOw0969gt
— Sam DeMarco 🇺🇸🇮🇱 (@sdemarcoii) June 3, 2024
His colleague on County Council, at-large Democrat Bethany Hallam, took the opposite approach, reposting a statement from the Pittsburgh chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America that stood in solidarity with the protestors.
This is an elected Allegheny County Councilperson.
Always remember that.
She doesn’t support lawful action. She doesn’t support police.
She supports acts of vandalism, trespass, etc.
She wants chaos and lawlessness.
Always remember that. pic.twitter.com/OSZMrmlPwl— Colin Dunlap (@colin_dunlap) June 3, 2024
Her fellow DSA member whose district includes parts of Pittsburgh, Congresswoman Summer Lee, posted a statement condemning police violence and implicitly supporting the encampment.
Police escalation in protests always leads to violence. That’s why it’s never the answer. Instead of meeting calls for justice with unnecessary force, we need to listen, understand & address the root cause of the outrage.
Our communities demand change, not violent confrontation.
— Summer Lee (@SummerForPA) June 4, 2024
Other big-name Democrats including Governor Josh Shapiro, Senator Bob Casey, and Senator John Fetterman have been silent on the issue so far.
Republican candidates for office locally and statewide were also quick to denounce the encampment.
Businessman and Republican Senate hopeful Dave McCormick condemned the demonstration and urged the University administration to take immediate action to protect the school’s Jewish community.
Very sad to see this continuing here. @PittTweet must take immediate action to disband this dangerous, antisemitic encampment and hold all participants accountable for their threats to the Jewish community. https://t.co/ZdI23k9L7d
— Dave McCormick (@DaveMcCormickPA) June 3, 2024
State Representative Rob Mercuri, the Republican challenger to Democrat Chris Deluzio in the Pittsburgh-area 17th congressional district, also took to Twitter to denounce the chaos.
I am disappointed and unsettled by recent events on Pitt's campus. I call on local & county authorities to enforce the law and secure the area. Without question, I will continue to stand for law & order and the protection of the Jewish community. https://t.co/COaOJ5Anwb
— Rob Mercuri (@mercuri4pa) June 3, 2024
The protests ended Tuesday morning with no additional arrests made overnight according to Pittsburgh Police Chief Larry Scirotto in a statement to WTAE.
“We were able to have a peaceful resolution to what was a long two days, and that’s what we’re looking to do,” Scirotto said.
Despite the ‘peaceful resolution’ the protest will leave a lasting impact as several protesters defaced the Cathedral of Learning, sprayed the Frick Fine Arts Building with antisemitic graffiti, and threw a weapon through a window of the building.
