(The Center Square) – Dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters are now officially facing trespassing charges for demonstrations at Arizona State University in April.
The 68 protesters were charged with “criminal trespass” as a third-degree misdemeanor, which is the lowest level, for allegedly participating in the encampment on the Tempe campus’s Old Main lawn that ended up being barricaded.
“The right to free speech does not extend to violating the law,” Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said in a statement.
“The university’s policy is clear – encampments are not permitted in this particular area on campus. The protestors – many of whom were not students – were given the chance, over and over again, to peacefully take down the encampments and leave the area. ASU, along with local law enforcement, had a responsibility to keep the area safe for students and faculty. My office is now playing the equally important role of holding these people accountable for their actions,” Mitchell continued.
The charges were announced just days after the one-year anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel, in which more than 1,200 people died and hundreds of hostages were taken. The protests have largely ranged from criticism of the military response of the attacks being disproportionate to wanting Israel being no longer recognized as a nation.
The demonstration was one of many to break out around the country, including at high-profile private institutions like Columbia University in New York. As for the ASU demonstrations, the ASU Police Department Chief Michael Thompson retired after being placed on leave after concerns about his conduct in handling the protests, including getting rid of tents at the encampment while not being in uniform, according to ABC 15 Arizona.
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The Center Square reached out to the university for comment, but did not receive a response in time for publication.
“While the university will continue to be an environment that embraces freedom of speech, ASU’s first priority is to create a safe and secure environment that supports teaching and learning,” the university said in a statement in April about those arrested for trespassing after being asked by law enforcement to vacate the lawn.