Threats to Safety and Disruption of Campus Operations

"After we walked from the peaceful pro-israel event back to our home, we had to walk past the front gates of DePaul again. Things had become more tense and more violent. My son and I watched a group of five masked men carrying Palestinian flags push a Jewish man to the ground and then steal his Israeli flag. I was called a baby killer, a murderer, a genocide supporter.  My friends had paint thrown on them, were pushed and verbally assaulted."

"My son is a freshman at DePaul and lives in the dorms. I'm reaching out to you because my son is no longer feeling safe at DePaul as a Jewish student. He participated in a pro-Israel gathering on Sunday. He shared how peaceful and welcoming the gathering was until he and a fellow student were walking back to his dorm. He told me that he and his female friend were encircled by an another group of masked students chanting, yelling and pushing while not allowing them to escape. My son resorted to physically pushing his way out of the circle and ran away from the verbal threats and antisemitic rhetoric. No police were present on the scene. This was clearly traumatic for him and his friend and vicariously traumatic for me, his mother as it would be to any concerned parent of any of your student body."

"Imagine being 18 years old and hearing people screaming and chanting for your death on campus and having them have more freedom of speech than you do because they have no fear. It’s deplorable. I believe in speech I believe in the right to protest, but I do believe on it encroach on other people civil rights."

"This protest goes far beyond what the law protects. There's hate speech at the core of pro palestinian messaging on your campus. They're calling for the elimination of the state of Israel. I was personally there when one protester screamed expletives at me while a small group of pro israel people stood peacefully/quietly."

"I am an Israeli and Jewish student who lives in University Hall. I have not slept for the past three nights because of the calls outside of my window for an Intifada...I have nowhere safe to go as an out-of-state student. I cannot go home, though all I want is to feel safe. "

"If it was peaceful, Oscar Mayer elementary wouldn't feel the need to cancel outdoor recess. The kids want to know why they can't go outside now for recess..."

"After hours of discussion at our home last night our son is attending class today, but is very concerned about his physical safety.  As a parent, we are scared for his safety both mentally and physically and while the encampment is the main focus of events on campus, there are also talks about protesters storming into classrooms and disrupting studies.  Should this occur, especially with the outside influencers involved, your student’s physical safety is at risk.  In addition, I can’t explain to you how painful the question from our son was on if this occurs should he admit he is Jewish or not."

"I find it incredibly concerning that photos are appearing of young men holding flags depicting the image of Abu Obaida, a Hamas spokesman."

"Please do something with what is going on. I live in University Hall and this has affected my well-being. Shouting in the evening past 10 pm is affecting my well-being as a student at YOUR university. The campers have been shouting very concerning things such as "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free," "We're the Intifada," and "KKK and CPD are the same thing." These statements are upsetting to me and make me feel unsafe at my college. The university alerts students not to leave their dorms, it shows that the university recognizes that the campus is not safe. The university needs to tell the protesters they need to clear the quad by a certain time. If not have CPD clear it out. "

"Every day is a nightmare. I walk through the neighborhood and it’s littered with antisemitic graffiti and flyers calling for the genocide of the Israeli people and images of kidnapped humans including a boy the same age as my 4 year old son are torn down."

"I drove by your university and walked around yesterday as my 15-year old daughter said she was scared to be near the school.  She works and goes to school in the area… I'm fearful as a Jewish resident."

"My daughter lives in Uhall - I have stayed quiet for a week in the hopes that you as a university would resolve this situation in safe and reasonable way.  I find the ongoing disruption to the campus and the students in the dorms, not able to study or sleep because of the chanting etc., well into the early morning hours completely unacceptable! Not only does my daughter fear for her safety when she in on campus - now she can't sleep / study in her dorm ( for a week and counting). She is an out of state student that does not have anywhere else to go."

"My son is scared to walk down Fullerton in the middle of the day because he is Jewish. How can you let this continue?" 

"My daughter is a resident at University Hall. She and her roommate are emotionally exhausted. The noise is keeping them from studying in their dorm room and sleeping soundly at night. Their stress level is unhealthy and we are worried.."

"I am horrified by the banner that is showcasing in our Quad this morning I understand that everyone has the right to protest but having a banner with a man pointing a rifle to a kid is horrific!! ...[I]t is over all insinuating violence."

"While I was walking through the quad today on my way to class, I noticed a banner that I'm assuming was set up by the encampment. This banner is a soldier holding a gun at a civilian, that looks to be a child. This is deeply disturbing."

"I am unsure whether the university understands how hurtful and honestly scary it is to see my peers, friends, and professors chanting whether consciously or not, for the harm of Israel and zionists, or Jews for that matter."

"I’ve already been advised by police not to visit the quad for my own safety. I was told by people of the encampment I’m not welcomed at school, and harassed me until I left. How long will I be barred from MY OWN SCHOOL that MY tuition goes to support!?" 

"As we walked home this past Sunday afternoon, a group of seven men completely covered up from head to toe, walked up and down Belden intimidating people. How are you allowing this on your campus grounds in 2024?" 

"If the encampment on the quad stays peaceful, I do not mind however, yesterday they were chanting "We are the intifada." I find this extremely concerning for me and all other Jewish students who attend this university."

"Since October 7th, 2023, we have seen a dangerous increase in antisemitism and hatred towards others on our campus and within our Jewish Community...we are now facing violence for existing, shut out of public spaces, and fear of speaking up against hatred and rampant antisemitism."

"Give me my f***king money back bro stop canceling classes I spent my life savings on this school"

"I previously sent an email about how I feel unsafe as a Jewish student at DePaul, and how the noise every night outside of Uhall is unbearable."

"While I am not Jewish, nor Palestinian, but I feel uncomfortable with the fact that a professor would so openly go out of their way to create such an assignment. I hope that you take action to make sure this doesn't happen in classrooms. I am putting myself through college and am finally graduating. I transferred from another university to DePaul knowing the good education I should be getting. I do not want this to ruin my view or my education. Thank you."

"No student should feel the need to be ‘escorted’ to walk across our Lincoln Park campus during broad daylight. This is the reality we are facing as Jewish students on campus at DePaul."

"I have to take a different route to school with my children so they don’t have to be exposed to the hate speech and antisemitism."

"I am a neighbor of DePaul university and have always been proud to share the neighborhood with your wonderful city campus and students. I was dismayed to wake up today and learn that you now have an antisemitic, anti-American and anti-Jewish mob encamped on your campus."

"There's hate speech at the core of pro-Palestinian messaging on your campus. They're calling for the elimination of the state of Israel. I was personally there when one protester screamed expletives at me while a small group of pro-Israel people stood peacefully/quietly."

"Small children should not be exposed to protests or agitation. Parents sending kids to summer camp should not have to worry that their kids will accidently get caught up in something dangerous!"

"Sadly, this antisemitism was on display in our own neighborhood, on the campus where we walk every day with our 5- and 8-year old.  Our 8-year old notices."

From same community member: 

"It is 12:44 [a.m.] and the protests and noise are still going on." 
"There is once again amplified noise from the protests on the quad. It is past 9:30. Do something."

"I live at Clinton and Fullerton and have considered myself a friend and neighbor of DePaul. It is appalling to observe the professional agitators and hate terrorists creating an encampment of ugliness. Anyone referring to the participants as “students and alumni” is being deceitful. Some of the suppliers - picture enclosed from last night - smiled and jokingly made references to another victory in campuses against Jews…. Please also stop the loudspeakers after 10 pm - as a good neighbor.."

"A new sign seen today at DePaul entrance: “Long Live the intifada!” The calling for the killing of Jews! A sign seen at DePaul Encampment: “Jewish safety cannot be achieved until Palestine is Freed.” Although it was removed this speaks to the hate that is embroiled in your campus. There are reports that your Jewish students and members of the surrounding community have been harassed with antisemitic hate speech. This will not go away if you allow these encampments to continue on campus. "