Protests on college campuses: Arrested students now face criminal charges

Gonzalez is running for re-election this year.

George Washington University in Washington, DC

According to news reports, police in Washington, DC arrested 33 people after officers attempted to clear a pro-Palestinian camp on campus. The demonstrators are accused of, among other things, assaulting a police officer and unauthorized entry.

District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday following those arrests.

His office previously told The Appeal: “Everyone has the right to peacefully protest, under both federal and D.C. laws.” However, there are places in Washington, D.C. where the right to protest may be limited and the right to protest is neither Violence nor civil disobedience protects. When arrests are presented to our office, we evaluate them and make a charging decision based on the facts and law in each individual case, as well as the public safety risks to D.C. residents. We are currently unaware of any arrests in Washington related to protests in Gaza.”

University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia

According to the university, campus police arrested 12 people on April 27 for trespassing.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Libby K. Humphries did not respond.

Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia

Local news reported that campus police arrested 82 people for trespassing on April 28.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Mary Pettitt did not respond.

Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia

Campus, Richmond, and state police arrested 13 people on April 29 for unlawful assembly and trespassing, local news reported.

The police used tear gas on demonstrators.

Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney Colette McEachin did not respond.

University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia

According to the university, campus police and Virginia State Police arrested 25 people on trespassing charges on May 4.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Joseph Platania did not respond.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Campus police arrested around 36 people on April 30 for trespassing, among other things, the university told local media.

Orange County District Attorney Jeff Nieman’s office previously told The Appeal: “We would accept any charges on a case-by-case basis, but we would not categorically dismiss charges arising from protest-related arrests.” So far “We are not facing any such protest-related charges.”

North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina

According to local news, police arrested one person for trespassing.

Wake County District Attorney Lorrin Freeman did not respond.

University of South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina

Local news reported that campus police arrested two people on April 23 for breach of the peace.

Fifth Judicial District Attorney Byron Gipson did not respond.

University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee

According to local news, campus police and officers from the Knoxville Police Department arrested nine people on trespassing charges on May 2.

Knox County District Attorney General Charme Allen did not respond.

Tulane University and Loyola University in New Orleans, Louisiana

The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) said it arrested 12 people after clearing an encampment in Jackson Square, local news reported. The charges include trespassing, hate crimes against law enforcement, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence and interfering with a law enforcement investigation, an NOPD statement said.