Columbus City Attorney says he's reviewing Ohio State arrest cases from April protests
Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein said Wednesday that his office continues to review evidence in the cases of more than 40 people arrested at Ohio State University in April protests.
In a prepared video statement released Wednesday on the office's social media channels, Klein said his office will evaluate the evidence in each individual case, including video evidence, to determine the best resolution.
The arrests all occurred on Ohio State's campus last week as students and others gathered to protest the continued conflict between Israel and Palestinians in Gaza. The protesters gathered at the Oval on campus, asking the university to divest from investments in companies that may profit from the ongoing conflict.
Two people were arrested on April 23, and three were arrested the following day. More than 30 arrests took place on April 25 after several hundred students refused to leave the Oval.
Those arrested were cited with criminal trespass, a fourth-degree misdemeanor that carries a maximum sentence of up to 30 days in jail and a $250 fine if convicted. Several had their first court dates scheduled this week and their initial appearances before a judge were rescheduled for June.
On Monday, after the first group of those arrested were scheduled to appear in Franklin County Municipal Court, a group of protesters spoke at Columbus City Council, asking the body to dismiss the charges.
Every criminal case that comes across my desk is thoroughly reviewed before prosecutors take action. The Ohio State campus protest cases are no different. We’re currently reviewing the facts and evidence to determine how prosecutors will proceed with each individual case. pic.twitter.com/M1jiOSphN7
— Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein (@CityAttyKlein) May 1, 2024
City Council has no authority over Klein's office, which handles the prosecution of misdemeanors.
In his statement Wednesday, Klein said that free speech activities and protests are valued but so is public safety. The evidence in each case will determine how it is handled, he said.
An additional protest is scheduled to take place Wednesday evening on Ohio State's campus. The university announced that buildings around the location of the planned protest would be locked in anticipation.
Other universities, including Columbia University, have had protests in which student groups and other activists have gone into campus buildings and stayed in what the schools have called occupations.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus City Attorney reviewing April Ohio State protest arrests
