University at Buffalo professors call for all charges against arrested protesters to be dropped

University at Buffalo professors are at odds with the administration’s response to protests that have taken place on campus in recent days.

University at Buffalo professors are calling on administrators to drop all charges against the 15 protesters arrested during the May Day demonstration on campus, NBC WGRZ reported. A letter, which garnered more than 200 signatures, was sent to university president Satish K. Tripathi, stating that professors were “deeply disturbed” by the decision to “violently escalate the peaceful protest organized by students May, the 1st “.

In addition to dropping the charges, faculty members want the University at Buffalo to conduct a public review of university protocols related to policing, WGRZ reported. The outlet previously reported that of the 15 protesters arrested during Wednesday’s demonstration, eight people were not affiliated with UB, while seven were students.

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“About 50 demonstrators gathered to protest the war in Gaza and support divestment on the lawn in front of Hochstetter Hall on UB’s North Campus. The gathering was entirely peaceful and the students were well organized,” says a part of the letter. “When told that erecting tents for an encampment would result in their arrest, the students immediately reorganized the gathering to comply with the policy. Additionally, the order that students disperse after the sunset – cited as 8:22 p.m. by law enforcement at the protest – was timely, dangerous and discriminatory The university’s official policy prohibiting picketing and gatherings at night does not mention sunset. .

Anti-Israel protesters shout slogans during a demonstration near the Israeli consulate as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, in Istanbul, Turkey, October 18, 2023. (Reuters/Dilara Senkaya)

“The sunset arrest deadline coincided with the Maghrib, the Muslim evening prayer, the existence of which police appeared to be unaware of until informed by protesters,” the letter added. “The rules for student protests were updated in real time on the day of the protest, appearing discriminatory and making it difficult for even the most informed students to follow them.”

In a statement, the university said it recognized and respected the First Amendment right to protest, but explained that the demonstrators overstepped their rights and violated campus rules.

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“However, members of the University community and visitors who wish to express their views through picketing and other forms of demonstration are permitted to do so peacefully but must not violate the provisions of the Regulations for the SUNY Board of Trustees “Public Order Administrators must adhere to UB’s picketing and assembly policy, including the prohibition of nighttime gatherings and indoor and outdoor encampments,” the statement said. university in a press release following Wednesday’s demonstration.

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