What Happens Next After Campus Demonstrations Lead to Arrests

Last Updated on May 2, 2024 by Robert C. Hoopes

College students across the country have found themselves in legal trouble this week after participating in protests against the war in Gaza. Hundreds of students were arrested at universities including Columbia University, City College of New York, University of Texas, Tulane University, and Arizona State University.

Charges against protesters at some universities have been dropped due to a lack of evidence, with prosecutors needing strong evidence to gain convictions in the cases. At Columbia University, recent arrests were made after clashes and building takeovers. New York City Mayor Eric Adams has claimed that many of the protesters were “outside agitators” with no connection to the university. University administrators at various schools have also stated that the majority of protesters were not affiliated with their institutions.

The charges against protesters at Columbia and CCNY range from trespass to criminal mischief and burglary, but have now been reduced to misdemeanors ahead of arraignments. The Legal Aid Society has criticized the NYPD for detaining protesters for low-level offenses. Advocates have also raised concerns about police tactics used to suppress demonstrations and arrest protesters.

As the protests continue, it remains to be seen how the legal cases against these students will unfold. In the meantime, the arrests have sparked a debate about the rights of individuals to protest and the tactics used by law enforcement to control dissent. Stay tuned to My MBA Career for more updates on this developing story.