University of Pennsylvania President Amy Gutmann and Pennsylvania State University President Eric Brown are facing criticism for participating in student protests against what demonstrators say is police mistreatment of blacks in Ferguson, Mo, and other areas of the country.
On Dec. 9, Gutmann lay on the floor with protesters who took over her holiday party as part of a “die-in,” reports the Philadelphia Enquirer. Campus police officers working the party were offended by her participation, and their union president called Gutmann’s actions a “slap in the face to every person that wears this uniform and serves this university.”
Previously, Barron was criticized by a local lawmaker for standing with a group of black students in front of the administrative building with his hands in the air. The gesture is associated with the Ferguson case in which a black teenager, Michael Brown was shot by police.
Both administrators were defended publically by other prominent officials. Barron was defended by State Rep. Jake Wheatley, and Gutmann was defended by Penn State Vice President Maureen Rush. Both Wheatley and Rush said that Barron and Gutmann were not protesting the police but were in solidarity with students.
Rush pointed out that Gutmann has provided much support to campus police and doubled their budget.
Photo: Wikimedia Adam Jones
