ATHENS, Ga. — Arrests were made Monday morning at a protest on the campus of the University of Georgia, with the school saying in a statement an encampment like others seen at schools around the country in support of Palestine was set up in violation of campus policy.
Records show that 16 people were arrested; the school did not identify how many were students. Most of the people were charged with criminal trespassing and remaining on property after being told to leave, with bonds ranging from $26 to over $1,800, with $1,500 being the most common.
The UGA student newspaper, The Red & Black also reported 16 arrests early Monday.
"While we must provide ample opportunity for protected expressive activities, we also have the right and duty to regulate the time, place and manner in which they occur," a university spokesperson, Greg Trevor, said in a statement. "This morning’s encampment on the North Campus Quad crossed a line and violated our policies."
The school said UGA Police made arrests and Georgia State Patrol said it was among the agencies on scene assisting.
The statement said the encampment was set up by about 25 initial protesters "without making a required reservation under our Freedom of Expression Policy" and that it violated policies against "blocking sidewalks, ingress and egress from buildings, and use of amplified sound."
An organizing group, UGA Students for Justice in Palestine, posted on Instagram on Monday morning about the establishment of the encampment and followed up with several posts as police broke it up.
Liz Rymarev, The Red & Black's editor-in-chief, was on scene and took photos of the protest. 11Alive obtained permission from the student paper to reprint the photo below.
In one post, Students for Justice in Palestine said the school was "complicit in genocide" and they demanded that UGA "disclose their funding/donors and divest from Israel's apartheid regime."
"As community members and students banded together in an encampment on university grounds to stand in solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza, university administration gave a dispersal order and then police came and forcefully removed and arrested demonstrators," the Students for Justice in Palestine post stated. "To UGA, who said they would 'work with us,' you’ve failed not only your students who pay tuition dollars that go towards funding genocide, but every student across the globe as you ignore and abuse your students on your campus. Education is for everyone. We have the right to protest and be heard."
The school statement said that the protest organizers had been offered the chance to "make a reservation and relocate to one of our centrally designated forums, but they refused."
"After multiple warnings that they would be arrested for trespass if they did not comply with our policies, at 8:30 a.m., UGA Police were left with no choice but to arrest those who refused to comply," the UGA statement said. "Any students, faculty or staff members arrested could also face further disciplinary action by the University."
Students for Justice in Palestine said they were organizing a jail vigil following the arrests.
"We condemn the violent arrests of the students and community members during the encampment this morning. We are urging you all to help out and contact the people above and demand they be released," the student group said.
Full UGA statement
The University of Georgia is firmly committed to the First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and expression. Over the course of this academic year, we have facilitated dozens of events in which members of our campus community and guest speakers have publicly expressed differing viewpoints through lectures, marches, vigils and protests.
These expressive activities are consistent with the University System of Georgia Board of Regents’ Policy on Freedom of Expression, which requires institutions to protect the rights of all students and employees “to share ideas and opinions, even those that some may find offensive.” For the most part, these activities have been conducted peacefully, without incident. When issues have arisen, they have been addressed appropriately by campus authorities.
The University’s commitment to the safety and security of our campus community is our foremost priority. While we must provide ample opportunity for protected expressive activities, we also have the right and duty to regulate the time, place and manner in which they occur. This morning’s encampment on the North Campus Quad crossed a line and violated our policies. Early this morning, without making a required reservation under our Freedom of Expression Policy, approximately 25 protesters began erecting tents and a barricade, blocking sidewalks and building entrances, and using amplified sound. Shortly thereafter, Student Affairs and University Police personnel established a dialogue with them to ensure awareness of applicable policies.
For decades, to protect health and safety, University of Georgia policy has expressly prohibited camping in outdoor areas of campus. In addition, those engaging in protest are prohibited from disrupting University activities inside and outside buildings, including classes. Accordingly, our policy expressly prohibits blocking sidewalks, ingress and egress from buildings, and use of amplified sound. Protesters were advised repeatedly, for more than an hour, that the tents and barricades they had put in place had to be removed and that they must comply with applicable policies. They were also given the opportunity by Student Affairs personnel to make a reservation and relocate to one of our centrally designated forums, but they refused. After multiple warnings that they would be arrested for trespass if they did not comply with our policies, at 8:30 a.m., UGA Police were left with no choice but to arrest those who refused to comply. Any students, faculty or staff members arrested could also face further disciplinary action by the University.
We remain grateful for the dedicated service of our Student Affairs team and University Police officers, who have worked tirelessly throughout the year to facilitate the safety of those who choose to exercise their right to peacefully protest on our campus. Anyone who feels threatened or who has experienced threats, harassment or discrimination is encouraged to contact the University’s Police Department and/or Equal Opportunity Office immediately.
Let us make it abundantly clear that while the University of Georgia staunchly supports freedom of expression, we will not cede control of our campus to groups that refuse to abide by University policy and threaten the safety of those who live, work and study here. The University of Georgia remains an institution where ideas, viewpoints, and scholarship can be openly expressed and debated.
News happens fast. Stream it faster with our re-designed 11Alive+ app.
Watch newscasts, breaking news streams and get the latest sports, weather and VERIFY content -- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Available on Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV. Text "plus" to 404-885-7600 to download 11Alive+ and stream now.