Police were called to Bryn Mawr College Saturday morning in response to a pro-Palestinian protest held outside of the Hepburn teaching theater, where part of the April meeting of the college’s Board of Trustees was taking place. Protestors gathered at approximately 8 a.m., chanting outside as the Board ate breakfast.
At approximately 9 a.m., the police were called by campus safety. “There’s been an assault and they [the protesters] are not listening,” Lillian Burroughs, Campus Safety Executive Director, stated as the reason for the call. The Bi-College News cannot yet independently verify this claim. One police officer arrived shortly after, briefly exchanging words with the protesters and Bill Applegate, Associate Director of Campus Safety.
The police officer subsequently dispersed the crowd, walking alongside protesters to Pembroke Arch until the crowd eventually disbanded. No arrests were made.
Campus safety have not yet replied to a request for comment.
Update, 04/26/2026 1:37 p.m.
On Saturday evening, President Wendy Cadge addressed the protest in an email to the College community. The email stated that the protesters were both students and people not affiliated with the college and claimed that the protesters “obstructed passage in and out of the building [Hepburn Teaching Theater], blocked entrances, and impeded traffic.” Of the alleged assault, President Cadge wrote, “one individual was physically assaulted by a protester, and several others suffered auditory injuries due to excessive noise within close proximity via bullhorn.” However, President Cadge said that the Lower Merion Police Department were called after protesters did not disperse, not due to the alleged assault.
“While Bryn Mawr stands firmly in support of free expression as a hallmark of the student experience, we have clear guidelines around protest, which are outlined in the Guidelines in Support of Protests and Demonstrations. In no uncertain terms, the actions of protesters today violated these guidelines,” the email said. President Cadge concluded the email by stating that the administration was continuing to work with law enforcement to investigate the assaults, writing “Our core mission of academic excellence and robust yet peaceful protest can and must coexist.”
Bryn Mawr Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) responded to the email via Instagram, claiming that “in several incidents, members of Campus Safety put their hands on multiple students,” and that Campus Safety officers “[deliberately attempted] to antagonize peaceful student protesters.” The post also called President Cadge the “first ever president of Bryn Mawr College to call the police on student protesters.”
This article is no longer being updated.
13 comments
Students should have the integrity and responsibility to protest unmasked. Also, the College has the responsibility to make sure that their students are fully informed and educated—not just expressing “youthful passion”.
Many if not all of these young students really are not informed or learning how to contribute to solutions in a meaningful way.
We just pray that these “passionate” “compassionate” students don’t cross the line like the young man with many liberal compassionate ideals did when he murdered the two young Israelis who had dedicated their lives to finding ways to improve the situation for Palestinians in Gaza.
I support President Cage. Especially if there was an assault.
Requiring protesters to be unmasked can expose them to real risks of harassment by the college. Masking during protests has a long history and is not inherently a sign of dishonesty or a lack of integrity.
On the question of whether students are “informed, I’d caution against assuming that passion and youth equal ignorance. Many of these students are engaged with the history and politics of the issues they’re protesting. Disagreeing with their conclusions is fair; dismissing their knowledge is a different matter.
Most importantly, I think it’s worth being careful about linking the political views of protesters to the violent actions of one individual. Millions of people hold compassionate views about Palestinian civilians without endorsing or committing any violence. Suggesting otherwise unfairly tars an entire group of people for the actions of one person (also the assault was not clear in this case, no details were provided).
Our country is not in its current difficulties because one political movement is too powerful. It is struggling because too many institutions have developed a culture that punishes people for speaking truth to power. Sadly, Bryn Mawr appears to be moving in that direction as well. When students, journalists, academics, and ordinary citizens are silenced, dismissed, or threatened for voicing dissent, that is a sign of institutional weakness, not strength. A confident and healthy democracy does not need to intimidate those who challenge it.
What is the point of a liberal arts education when its president punishes student protest rather than modeling the values the institution claims to teach?
Hear, hear.
Dear President Wendy Cadge,
In challenging times, it is essential to approach student activism with empathy and understanding, recognizing it as a vital expression of youthful passion and consciousness. While ensuring campus safety is paramount, finding pathways that address concerns collaboratively, rather than through force, might foster a more nurturing educational environment. In this deeply divided and turbulent moment in our nation’s history, how our institutions respond to the voices of the next generation will define not only the character of our campus, but the kind of society we leave behind.
Respectfully,
Elliot Page
Dear President Wendy Cadge,
I am writing to express my deep disappointment and strong condemnation of your decision to call law enforcement on students who were peacefully exercising their constitutional right to protest. A liberal arts institution, above all others, should be a place where free expression, civic engagement, and peaceful dissent are not only tolerated but celebrated as core values of a democratic society. Calling police on your own students sends a chilling message that silences voices and contradicts the very principles of open inquiry and intellectual freedom that a liberal arts education is meant to uphold. I urge you to reflect on the harm this action has caused to student trust, campus culture, and the reputation of your institution as a place of learning and dialogue. As the leader of an institution built on the ideals of critical thinking, justice, and human dignity, I expected far better from you than this.
What is the assault in question? Did LMPD assault student protestors? The lack of clariy on this statement is concerning.
Bryn Mawr President, what are teaching our students about integrity and standing up against injustice? Can you honestly look into your soul as a human being and justify your action? As a parent, I am disappointed in your leadership.
This is deeply concerning. Why is the Lower Merion Police Department being called on student protestors? What is the assault mentioned by the Campus Safety officer? We parents stand with the students.
What is this new president trying to do to call police on our students? If the college cares about social justice and students, listen to their views and have a dialogue.
It’s sad that supposedly liberal (arts) colleges are caving to the fascist crackdown on peaceful protest in our country. Shame on Bryn Mawr! As parent of a BMC student, I expect better.
As another parent I fully agree. Allow peaceful protest. Engage with students who are courageously trying to effect positive change. Applaud their ability to think critically.
Wow. Calling the police on peaceful student protestors at a women’s college? Unbelievable and unprecedented reach of power by this new president and her administration.
Joy ’16
This piece is a very well written and objective cover of a developing story, Nomah!
Thank you for the work that you and please keep us updated.
Shakira K.
HC’ 17