Seven Illinois State University students were arrested for occupying Hovey Hall administrative building.
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. 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).
The ISU 7 were charged with one count of Criminal Trespass to State Land (a Class A Misdemeanor) and Criminal Trespass to Building (a Class B Misdemeanor).
All seven were held overnight at the McLean County Detention Center. Jail documents state they were held for court because of “Ongoing criminal activity which will likely resume if released.”
The ISU7 are being represented pro bono by attorney Sheryl Weikal. Weikal declined to comment on the case.
After their release, the ISU7 were given a no trespass order by Dean of Students Andy Morgan.
Their next court date is Thursday, May 23rd, 2024 at 9AM.
