In response to the ongoing demonstrations on the campus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), university and city officials have installed new fencing around the protest encampment. The move comes as conflicting protest rallies are anticipated to take place in the area on Friday.

Flying over the encampment on Friday morning, Sky5 observed tall barriers enclosing the Kresge Oval, where the pro-Palestinian protest group has set up camp. The fencing was covered in a green barrier, with Israeli flags visible hanging on the outside.

Addressing the school community, MIT President Sally Kornbluth stated that she had met with student leaders from the encampment during the week. Expressing her concern for the safety of all individuals at MIT, she emphasized the need to work collaboratively to find a resolution to the situation.

Kornbluth's message also highlighted the potential of the encampment to attract non-affiliated protesters to the campus. She referenced an incident earlier in the week when more than 150 people gathered on Massachusetts Avenue, warning that a similar scenario is expected on Friday.

Registered with the city of Cambridge, one of the rallies is scheduled in support of Israeli and Jewish students at MIT and is slated to take place at 77 Mass. Ave. Meanwhile, an opposing rally, involving both internal and external groups, is expected to occur nearby, according to Kornbluth.

To ensure the safety and security of all individuals, Mass. Ave. has been closed between Vassar and Amherst Streets during the protests. As an added precaution, several members of the Massachusetts State Police were observed waiting near the campus on Friday.

The dueling protests at MIT highlight the deeply ingrained divisions surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict, manifesting in the form of demonstrations on university grounds. As the situation unfolds, efforts are being made by university and city officials to maintain a peaceful environment and protect the physical well-being of everyone involved.