Penn Professor Arrested for Blocking Delivery Robot Cites First Amendment Rights
Carolyn Marvin, a 78-year-old retired University of Pennsylvania communications professor, was arrested for disorderly conduct on October 14 after refusing to move from the path of an Uber Eats delivery robot in Philadelphia. Marvin, who has been blocking autonomous delivery machines since their March launch in the city, claims her actions are a protected form of free speech and a protest against corporate encroachment on public space. While police cited her for disorderly conduct after she ignored commands to move, Marvin argues that Pennsylvania law classifies these robots as 'personal delivery devices' rather than pedestrians, meaning humans should have priority. She maintains that her protests, which delay deliveries by only 10 to 15 minutes, highlight issues regarding worker displacement, sidewalk safety, and privacy. Despite the arrest, Marvin intends to continue her demonstrations, though she plans to be more cautious of police presence in the future.