ACLU of Utah addresses police response to pro-Palestine protests at University of Utah

Trevor Myers
·2 min read
2

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Hundreds of students, faculty and community members gathered on the University of Utah campus on Monday to show their support for Palestine, planning to stay there for hours — or even overnight.

However, as the night went on, university officials informed demonstrators via a statement that they were not allowed to camp on campus overnight or erect structures, and police responded, eventually arresting 19 people.

On Tuesday, the ACLU of Utah issued a statement of its own, addressing the police response to Monday’s demonstration.

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“Last night’s police response to the peaceful demonstration at the University of Utah risked the safety and well-being of those directly involved as well as those in the area,” the ACLU said in its statement.

Hundreds of students and community members gathered on the University of Utah campus on April 29, 2024. The demonstrators were protesting in support of Palestine and some set up tents, saying they would not leave until their demands were met. (Jay Jensen)
Hundreds of students and community members gathered on the University of Utah campus on April 29, 2024. The demonstrators were protesting in support of Palestine and some set up tents, saying they would not leave until their demands were met. (Jay Jensen)

The human rights organization continued on to say it urges law enforcement officers and educational institutions to use “great restraint” when dispersing protests.

“In many instances, especially during times of war, protests on campus can be loud, disruptive, and offensive to others,” the ACLU said. “A university’s role is to help students navigate this situation, not to shut down protests.”

The organization said the manner in which police responded to demonstrators at the University of Utah “risked the safety and well-being of those directly involved as well as those in the area,” and the ACLU expressed its concern that law enforcement was “cracking down on political expression.”

Hundreds of students and community members gathered on the University of Utah campus on April 29, 2024. The demonstrators were protesting in support of Palestine and some set up tents, saying they would not leave until their demands were met. (KTVX/Dennis Dolan)
Hundreds of students and community members gathered on the University of Utah campus on April 29, 2024. The demonstrators were protesting in support of Palestine and some set up tents, saying they would not leave until their demands were met. (KTVX/Dennis Dolan)

“Utah colleges and universities must resist pressure to restrict or prohibit student protest — even on contentious issues — and adhere to their stated commitment to free speech, peaceful protest, and dissent on campus,” the ACLU said in its statement.

The ACLU concluded its statement by saying it was calling for increased tolerance and respect for free speech and peaceful dissent.

The university maintained its stance that protesters have the right to free speech, but not the right to break laws.

Protests continued on Tuesday, with demonstrators leaving the U of U campus and protesting outside the Salt Lake County Metro Jail after a protester was arrested.

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