Ohio State University is standing by its decision to have police arrest and charge pro-Palestine protesters who refused to disperse at the instruction of the university with criminal trespassing.
On Thursday, the group Students for Justice in Palestine at the Ohio State University held a protest at the Ohio Union where hundreds of student and non-student protesters gathered and set up tents beginning at 5 p.m..
Around 10 p.m., police began to break up the demonstration and arrested those who did not comply with the university’s disbursement order.
The group Justice, Unity, and Social Transformation (JUST) raised $28,000 in 72 hours to post bail for the arrested protesters.
“Ohio State has worked diligently to support our community throughout these extremely challenging times. Our priority is always the health, safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff. In particular, during finals week, we have communicated broadly through a number of channels that we will continue to consistently enforce our space rules to support the success of all students,” the university said in a press release.
Ohio State has worked diligently to support our community throughout these extremely challenging times. https://t.co/9zTKjWLs0m
— Ohio State News (@OhioStateNews) April 26, 2024
“Well established university rules prohibit camping and overnight events. On Thursday, April 25, demonstrators, a number of whom were not students, faculty or staff at Ohio State, exercised their First Amendment rights for several hours and were then instructed to disperse. Individuals who refused to leave after multiple warnings were arrested and charged with criminal trespass. Arrests are not an action that we take lightly, and we appreciate the support of all of our law enforcement partners to disperse the encampment for the safety of our university community. We have always, and always will, take the action that is in the best interest of our community,” the university added.
Thursday’s protest came days after Ohio State University President Walter “Ted” Carter Jr. said he “will not compromise” when it comes to enforcing the law and university policy amid protests on campus.
Earlier in the week, students at the university openly called for Jewish students to be removed from the university, with one protest featuring students chanting in a viral video, “The Zionists have got to go.”
In addition, graffiti featuring anti-Israel rhetoric, including “Free Palestine till we die” and “Globalize the Intifada,” was also present over the weekend on the university’s campus.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Ohio Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Image “Pro-Palestine Protesters Face Police” by J.U.S.T.
