[WASHINGTONEXAMINER] A state Democratic politician allegedly warned members of the University of Pennsylvania’s anti-Israel encampment of a "credible threat" for a police sweep.According to group chat communications exclusively obtained by the Washington Examiner, Pennsylvania House Rep. Rick Krajewski "relayed" the warning with a time frame of within the "next 24 hours." The warning allowed the group to jettison equipment before the encampment was torn down by law enforcement, according to the students.
"CALLING ALL REDS," one protester wrote. "Credible threat of sweep relayed by Rick Krajewski. Timeline is next 24 hrs. If you can come please come. We need numbers to defend camp and also to build structures to make camp more defensible."
The term "Reds" apparently refers to the subgroup of UPenn anti-Israel protesters who do not care if they get arrested, one of the students explained to the Washington Examiner. There are also "Greens" and "Yellows." These distinctions have reportedly been used by various groups in the past.
The Washington Examiner reached out to Krajewski for comment.
The messages reviewed by the Washington Examiner show after the warning was relayed, encampment members discussed what kind of "materials" to bring in order to "reinforce" the camp. This included chains, bike locks, wood planks, boards, and pallets.
Then, as the protesters awaited the May 10 "sweep," the messages revealed they discussed removing collection of "sharps and power tools," among other items. They spoke about how one protester was pulling his car around to the east side entrance, how they’ll "be ready to grab and receive" the items, and eventually that they were "loading" the items. Sharps include weapons or sharp objects that could be used as a weapon.
In the middle of the night, one organizer called on the "Greens" and "Yellows" to head to the east lawn, and another "Red" protester later shared that they had received a "two-minute warning."
Krajewski, a socialist, has been a vocal supporter of what he called "Penn’s anti-war encampment." He previously visited the encampment and has shown his solidarity with the protesters, alleging "apartheid and genocide" against Israel.
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