News Summary
A Knox County grand jury has indicted several University of Tennessee students for participating in protests against Israeli actions in Gaza. The indictments, which include criminal trespassing charges, come nearly a year after the protests coinciding with Nakba Day. Attorneys for the defendants express surprise at the delayed charges, and the case raises questions about free speech rights in academic settings. The protesters plan to contest the charges and pursue a jury trial, while some have also initiated lawsuits against the university and the sheriff’s office over alleged First Amendment violations.
KNOXVILLE, TN – A grand jury in Knox County has indicted several University of Tennessee students for participating in protests that took place over a year ago, which were focused on Israeli actions in Gaza. The indictments were issued on June 18, 2024, following a referral from the Knox County District Attorney’s Office in June.
The charges against the protesters include criminal trespassing, which is classified as a class C misdemeanor. Those found guilty could face up to 30 days in jail and a $50 fine. Out of the 12 protesters indicted, seven are set to appear for arraignment on July 16 and July 22 in the Knox County Criminal Court. Some defendants are still awaiting the scheduling of their court dates.
Dillon Zinser, an attorney representing one of the defendants, has expressed concerns regarding the lengthy delay in the District Attorney’s decision to indict the protesters. He suggested that the office could have opted to dismiss the cases entirely. Attorney Mike Whalen, who represents five of the indicted individuals, also expressed surprise that the charges were brought nearly a year after the initial arrests.
The protests that led to the arrests took place on May 15, 2024, coinciding with Nakba Day, a day commemorating the displacement of Palestinians following the establishment of the State of Israel. At these demonstrations, participants advocated for the University of Tennessee to sever ties with Israeli weapons manufacturers and halt study abroad programs in Israel.
Background of the Protests
Prior to the May 15 demonstrations, nine protesters had been arrested on May 2, 2024, for violations related to unauthorized event policies. Despite the University of Tennessee allowing the group to reserve the student union lawn for future demonstrations under set guidelines, some participants were arrested before the scheduled end time of their protest, despite being instructed to vacate the area.
The enactment of a law in Tennessee in 2022, which prohibits unauthorized camping on public property, has impacted protests across the state. This legislation has led to stricter enforcement of rules surrounding public demonstrations.
Legal Challenges and First Amendment Issues
In addition to the criminal charges faced by the protesters, two individuals arrested during the protests have filed a federal lawsuit against the University of Tennessee. The lawsuit claims that their First Amendment rights were violated due to the university’s enforcement of outdoor event rules, which they allege specifically targeted their political speech. The plaintiffs are seeking a court injunction to prevent future restrictions on protests, recognition of their rights violations, and monetary damages.
One of the plaintiffs, Layla Soliz, has also initiated a separate lawsuit against the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, following an incident where her hijab was removed during booking. This lawsuit has resulted in a settlement of $71,500.
As the legal proceedings continue, the indicted protesters are expected to contest the charges. They maintain that their actions during the protests did not constitute a violation of the law and plan to pursue a jury trial.
This situation highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding free speech and the right to protest, particularly within academic institutions. The outcomes of these legal matters may have broader implications for the future of peaceful demonstrations and First Amendment protections in Tennessee and beyond.
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Additional Resources
- Times Free Press: Knox County Grand Jury Indicts University of Tennessee Students
- WBIR: Demonstrators Gather for No Kings Day Protest
- Knox News: Hands Off Knoxville Protest
- UT Daily Beacon: Protesters Gather in Downtown Knoxville
- WATE: Los Angeles Protests: Lawyer Breaks Down Rights
- Wikipedia: Freedom of Speech
- Encyclopedia Britannica: First Amendment
- Google Search: Right to Protest
- Google Scholar: Freedom of Expression
- Google News: Knoxville Protests
