On Friday, the Chicago Thinker’s Arthur Long led a pro-America counter-protest in response to the pro-Palestine encampment installed on the University of Chicago’s Main Quad.
A flag-waving Long led around 200 students to the front of the encampment. The original intent of the group was to re-hoist the American flag on the Quad’s flagpole after the University took down a Palestinian flag mounted by those participating in the encampment. Upon realizing that the University had cut the halyard, the counter-protestors proceeded to hang “Old Glory” on light posts across the Quad.
Amidst the confrontation, there were reports of physical altercations, as well as vandalism and theft of American flags. The University of Chicago Police Department (UCPD) responded by deploying riot police between the opposing crowds.
With the day’s events drawing the attention of several media outlets, ABC7 Chicago interviewed Long, who commented on his motivation for counter-protesting. “We are Americans,” Long stated, “we stand for the freedom of speech, but what we don’t stand for is vandalism and occupying things, blocking students. We are here to study. We’re here to learn, and they are impeding that. And we’re not going to stand for that.”
In response to the unrest, UChicago Dean of Students Michele Rasmussen wrote to members of the University community explaining that “while [they] are free to express their views…using force or physical intimidation to carry out a protest is never acceptable”. Earlier on Friday, UChicago President Paul Alivisatos took a firm stance against the encampment, decreeing it “cannot continue.” The group responsible for organizing the encampment, UChicago United for Palestine, has indicated protestors will not budge. The encampment remains.