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AMHERST, Mass. (AP) — Following her arrest during protests at the University of Massachusetts, Annie McGrew has found herself juggling two series of hearings: one concerning misdemeanor charges in court and another regarding violations of the university’s conduct code.
This situation has disrupted McGrew’s academic progress, specifically her work on completing her economics dissertation.
“It’s been a really rough few months for me since my arrest,” McGrew shared. “I never expected UMass (administration) would respond this way.”
This spring, approximately 3,200 individuals were taken into custody amidst a wave of protests demonstrating support for Palestinian rights in response to the conflict in Gaza. While some institutions negotiated with students to bring the protests to a halt, others resorted to police intervention when demonstrators refused to disperse.
While many students have seen their cases dismissed, hundreds of individuals from colleges with the most arrests remain in legal limbo, according to an analysis by The Associated Press and collaborating news organizations.
In addition to their legal troubles, the involved students face uncertainty regarding their academic futures. Some students assert they would make the same decision to protest regardless of the repercussions, while others express uncertainty about continuing their studies.
Valencia Alvarez, a student at Washington University in St. Louis, is currently awaiting insight into potential charges she and 99 others may face for a protest that lasted less than half a day on April 27.
Among those arrested, twenty-three were students. In June, the university presented them with two options: participate in a hearing with the Office of Student Conduct or “accept responsibility” to avoid further investigation. Alvarez chose the hearing.
“I don’t really plan on being quiet about this, and I think that’s the goal of the second option,” Alvarez remarked.
The protests spread across various universities, regardless of size or location. As the fall semester approaches, institutions are preparing for further demonstrations addressing both Israel’s military actions and Hamas, while strategically determining the role of law enforcement in these events—decisions that carry significant implications.
College administrators have stated that police intervention was seen as the only option to effectively quell protests that disrupted events like commencement ceremonies, interfered with campus operations, and sometimes included antisemitic rhetoric.
Opposition has emerged from student organizations and some faculty, who criticize the decision to involve police, asserting that it often escalated tensions in ostensibly peaceful protests.
Most arrests during these demonstrations involved misdemeanors or minor charges such as trespassing, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest. In some cases, such as at Columbia University, initial felony charges were downgraded to misdemeanors after a lack of evidence led prosecutors to drop many charges.
District attorneys in several areas are still deciding whether to pursue charges against demonstrators. However, signals indicate many low-level violations will not be pursued, especially based on data collected from campuses with significant arrest numbers.
In Ulster County, New York, District Attorney Emmanuel Nneji recommended dismissing 129 cases from arrests made at the State University of New York at New Paltz, highlighting the need to alleviate burdens on the judicial system.
Students from New Paltz reported being arrested while peacefully protesting. One student, Maddison Tirado, described the police response as excessively forceful, implying that authorities treated protestors as threats rather than students engaged in free expression.
Ezra Baptist, another demonstrator, recounted a severe injury sustained during arrest, which hindered his academic performance and delayed his graduation.
Tensions among students and campus law enforcement have escalated since the October 7 attack by Hamas militants, which resulted in widespread violence and numerous casualties, further complicating the atmosphere on college campuses.
The repercussions of these arrests have proven most detrimental to students’ academic journeys. At Washington University, hearings for students arrested have commenced, but no disciplinary measures have yet been decided. Alvarez notes that her anticipated public health degree is now on hold due to these issues.
Despite the setbacks, Alvarez remains resolute about her participation in protests, stating, “I want that degree. I worked four jobs throughout my two years at Wash U to afford tuition without loans.”
At Emerson College, police enforced a city ordinance during a protest, leading to 118 arrests, all charged with disturbing the peace. These students were given the option of community service in exchange for not receiving formal charges.
Owen Buxton, another Emerson student, described a concussion sustained during interaction with law enforcement, which significantly affected his ability to engage in coursework and creative projects.
Responding to criticism, Emerson permitted students to take courses on a pass-fail basis following the protests.
In Amherst, students recalled a previously peaceful protest that turned confrontational upon the arrival of law enforcement. The university’s chancellor indicated that police involvement was only considered as a last resort, although the response was overwhelming.
As pressures continue to mount, many protests have faced backlash from university officials. A task force has been established at UMass to reassess campus demonstration policies, with expectations for updates by the summer’s end as the academic year approaches.
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To learn more about the Associated Press’s standards for coverage and its funding, visit AP.org.
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This report includes contributions from Associated Press writers across multiple locations.
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