We are united for justice and solidarity. We are united against hatred, discrimination and intimidation. I just want to say how proud I am of how many people came out. I think that even more would have come out if we had more notice, but this is an amazing turnout. We are in solidarity. We will continue to work together, because in unity there really is strength. I believe that the arch of the universe bends towards justice, only not fast enough. We will work to make it happen. I just want to thank you very much for coming out and making us all proud to be members of this community.

I am glad that we are in solidarity. We are united against hatred. We are united for our Black sisters and brothers. We are united for our Muslim sisters and brothers. We are united for our LGBTQ sisters and brothers. And we are united for Jews, and Muslims, and Christians, and Buddhists, and Atheists and everybody else regardless of their religion or political ideology. We are united with anyone who wants to join the cause of justice and inclusion.

Higher education matters and we at Penn want to show how much it matters. We are united in respect of all persons. We are united against discrimination. May the word spread throughout the land that respect for everybody is what Penn stands for. Education is about respect for everyone and inclusion. We are united in making this community, our society and the world better, and I couldn’t be more proud to be your president. Thank you all so very much.

(Ed. Note: This is an edited version of off-the-cuff remarks made by President Gutmann at the event, a video of which was posted online by the Philadelphia Inquirer.)