‘A dark, sad day for WashU’ – Chancellor responds to weekend protest
ST. LOUIS – Washington University’s chancellor addressed last weekend’s campus protests in a community letter, warning against demonstrations like the one on Saturday that ended with 100 arrests.
Students, faculty, and activists were among those arrested in a campus protest that erupted over the war in Gaza.
Chancellor Andrew D. Martin described Saturday as “a dark, sad day for WashU.” He claims that Saturday’s protest was a disruption and violated policies. “You will not do this here,” his letter ended.
WashU community meets in advance of planned protest at SLU
The letter says that three police officers sustained various injuries while responding to the protest. It adds that WashU asked a group of protestors to leave when they began to set up an encampment, asserting that the group violated policies and did not listen to police instructions to leave.
The letter claims that some of the protestors were “behaving aggressively,” citing actions such as swinging flagpoles and sticks and attempting to break into locked buildings.
“We’ve all watched as protests have spiraled out of control on other campuses across the country in recent months. We are not letting this happen here,” said the letter.
In the letter, Martin says, “We fully support free expression,” and that WashU has supported peaceful demonstrations in the past. To that point, Martin adds “we will respond proportionately each and every time” in cases of protests that violate WashU policies.
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To this point, no criminal charges have been filed in connection with the protests. Though the letter claims that everyone arrested will face trespassing charges, while some may face charges of resisting arrest and assault. A spokesman for the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office tells FOX 2 they have not received any requests that charges be filed against anyone arrested at the event.
FOX 2 has learned that Green Party Presidential Candidate Jill Stein was among those arrested and St. Louis Alderwoman Megan Green could be among those suspended from campus.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
