Submission
1. Shoutout to the Drexel students. Within a day, they have proven themselves to be braver and more interesting than the Penn encampment which remained mostly symbolic and toothless for its duration (apart from the students who tried occupy the building). The anti-police energy was palpable. The students took the initiative by breaking down barricades and braving facing down riot cops on the first night as well as shouting down other self important activists telling people to “be peaceful”. Additionally, the Drexel students wrote a wonderful response to President John Fry by embracing outside agitators, supporting disruption and rejecting narratives of “peaceful” protest.
2. As an anarchist, the ferocity of these Drexel students surprised and excited me. Generally, I’ve felt that the Palestine solidarity protests (whether organized by PPC or students) in Philly have been pretty tame and cowardly compared to the occupations and battles in the streets we’ve seen in other cities. However, I think that occupations/encampments are a limited tactic. I’d encourage students to explore other types of tactics to attack the university that allow them to “be water”. Stay in one place until it makes sense to move. In Portland, comrades abandoned their occupation of the library when it was clear they couldn’t hold it. Strategic retreat is real and valid. There’s no point in getting arrested or catching charges for nothing. Mass arrests are cute for activists on instagram but they don’t make any sense for those of us trying to #EscalateforGaza. Live to fight another day. Targets exist everywhere.
3. Develop good security culture. One thing I noticed about the encampment at Drexel that was quite different than the Penn encampment was that way more people were wearing masks and bloc clothing. That’s dope. Keep it up. Also, maybe don’t bring your phones to actions. Phones are cops and full of info. Also, pulling out their phone seems to be something that people were doing rather than actively participating in the situation. I heard someone yell “put your phones down” and I agreed with what they said. Maybe read some zines together about security culture.
4. Don’t listen to activists or self proclaimed organizers. You got this. Ya’ll occupied it. Not them. When me and my homie were rolling up on the encampment one thing we noticed was that all of the well known activists with megaphones were leaving as soon as night rolled around. That’s good. Those people are cowards. As soon as the barricades started moving and the riot cops come out, the people who are the loudest on instagram will be the first to bolt. Drexel encampment was refreshing because unlike the Penn encampment, it wasn’t a whose who of shitty Philly activism. Focus on skill training and discussion groups rather than letting academics who want to use your movement for their own clout have a platform.
5. Understand that social movements are like waves. Eventually this one is gonna come to an end. So be ready for that. Be ready for the repression. But fight as hard as you can now cause #EscalateForGaza is the mission.
