4 Northwestern University employees charged over pro-Palestine campus protest, report says
EVANSTON, Ill. (TND) — Northwestern University police have charged four educators with allegedly obstructing law enforcement during an April a pro-Palestine, according to a Chicago Sun-Times report published Thursday.
Professor Rebecca Zorach, Research Assistant Professor Alithia Zamantakis, librarian Josh Honn and a graduate worker reportedly received the charges.The charges come months after the campus encampment was dismantled and carry a maximum prison sentence of one year, as well as a fine of up to $2,500.
While the University permits peaceful demonstrations, it does not permit activity that disrupts University operations, violates the law, or includes the intimidation or harassment of members of the community,” a university spokesperson told The National Desk (TND).Honn told the Chicago Sun-Times that the educators' citations date back to April 25, when staff members formed a line between student protesters and campus police. The librarian said he was knocked down by a police officer.
“I wanted to go out and support the students, defend their rights, support them, exercise my academic freedom and, most importantly, to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people,” Honn claimed. “I hope the charges are dropped. I don’t think we did anything wrong.”
Northwestern warned protesters in April that those who violated university policies would face “discipline.” On April 29, school president Michael Schill announced an agreement with the demonstrators to end the protest. Northwestern also pledged to set up an advisory committee on its investments, which were the subject of the demonstration.
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“I am proud of our community for achieving what has been a challenge across the country: a sustainable, deescalated path forward, one that prioritizes safety – safety for all of our students, for all of our Jewish students, for all of our Muslim students, all of our students,” Schill said at the time.
The Northwestern protest was one of several that took place throughout the country during the Spring semester. Some New York City schools came under the scrutiny of politicians decrying demonstrations which were becoming destructive.
"We are not an authoritarian nation where we silence people or squash dissent. The American people are heard. In fact, peaceful protest is in the best tradition of how Americans respond to consequential issues,” President Joe Biden said in May. “But neither are we a lawless country. We are a civil society, and order must prevail.”
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