Seven pro-Palestinian Illinois State University students arrested for occupying Hovey Hall–collectively known as the ISU7–were arraigned today.
The ISU7 were charged with one count of Criminal Trespass to State Land (a Class A Misdemeanor) and Criminal Trespass to Building (a Class B Misdemeanor). Criminal Trespass to State Land carries a maximum penalty of one year of incarceration and/or a $2,500 fine. Criminal Trespass to Building carries a maximum penalty of six months of incarceration and/or a $1,500 fine.
The ISU7 include: Jomareun Richardson (21), Joseph Bloom-Boedefeld (21), Daniel Kimball (20), Steven Lazarov (40), Rebekah Mangels (23), Kevin Dion (20), and Aiden Marcikic (20). All seven plead not guilty.
The court could not locate fingerprints for Bloom-Boedefeld. They claimed they were fingerprinted by the jail. He was ordered to be fingerprinted by the Sheriff’s office unless his fingerprints were already on file.
The ISU7 are being represented pro bono by attorney Sheryl Weikal. She requested discovery for all seven of her clients.
On May 3rd, 2024, Pro-Palestinian peace activists were protesting outside ISU President Andover Tarhule’s office on the fourth floor of Hovey Hall. Activists have been calling for the University to divulge & divest in all companies that profit off of apartheid Israel.
Students had been occupying the building the entire day. Students were told two times by ISU’s Safety Demonstration Team that failure to leave the building by 6PM would result in arrest & suspension. The Safety Demonstration Team warned students again after 6PM. Students were warned a fourth time by Dean of Students Andy Morgan and a fifth time by ISU Chief of Police Aaron Woodruff.
Students chose to stay in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. All universities in Gaza have been destroyed by Israeli forces.
After their final refusal to leave, Chief Woodruff called in Normal Police Department officers and Bloomington Police Department officers to arrest the seven peace activists. They were taken into custody and suspended.
New documents obtained via a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request show the timeline of events during the arrest on May 3rd. They also show that ISU police were relying on confidential informants at the pro-Palestinian encampment to spy on the peace activists.
The ISU7’s next court date is Tuesday, July 9th, 2024 at 1:30 PM.
