Four pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested Wednesday at the University of Michigan during the annual student organization and campus involvement fair.
During the event, a group of about 50 demonstrators gathered at the Diag to protest against Israel. Despite being asked to disperse, four individuals refused to leave, leading to their arrest, school officials told the Detroit Free Press.
"For more than an hour, they were given multiple warnings that made clear they were blocking pedestrian traffic and violating university policy," Colleen Mastony, assistant vice president for public affairs, told the outlet. "Most eventually dispersed although some refused to leave and, as a result, four people were arrested."
None of those arrested were students.
In response to the incident, Sarah Hubbard of UM's Board of Regents wrote on X: "At the University of Michigan, we are very familiar with protests. They are part of our history. But they must not interfere with the rights of others rights to protest, disrupt official events or make others feel unsafe. ... We have been clear that we will enforce our policies related to protests and will hold individuals accountable for their actions."
At the University of Michigan, we are very familiar with protests. They are part of our history. But they must not interfere with the rights of others rights to protest, disrupt official events or make others feel unsafe.
— Sarah Hubbard, Regent @umich (@RegentHubbard) August 29, 2024
The gathering was organized by the TAHRIR Coalition, a group of about 100 pro-Palestine organizations.
"We will not celebrate back to school as UM invests in and funds genocide," the group wrote in an Instagram post.
The latest arrests mirrored similar actions taken by police last spring, when protesters set up a monthlong encampment to urge the university to divest from any groups or investments associated with Israel.
Recent protests have also included withholding student club funding.
Pro-Palestinian students, running under the "Shut It Down" platform, won 24 out of 45 student government seats last spring. They had campaigned on the promise to stop all funding for student organizations until the university divested from Israel and sufficiently funded student groups.
They have largely kept their promise.
The newly elected CSG president, Alifa Chowdhury, vetoed the summer budget, effectively cutting off funding to student groups. It remains uncertain whether she will take similar action with the fall budget or future funding requests.
However, the group took steps this week to restore some past spring and summer funding for campus organizations.
During the Tuesday meeting, students discussed the impact of the spending freeze on their clubs, while also criticizing the university for not providing adequate financial support. UM's student government is funded by a student fee of $11.19 per semester.
"Quite frankly, the university does not fund student organizations as it should. A lot of orgs here rely on SOFC funding," said Ryan Grover, president of the men's rugby club. "... Student orgs play such a huge role at the university. Without the funding, it can make student's lives worse. Yes academics are important, but student orgs are also important for students. So without that funding, there are students that won't be able to find their groove so they'll be worse off mentally and physically. I want to urge you to continue student funding."
Another student, Teddy Masterson, urged the CSG to separate political issues from the need to fund student organizations.
"I get it. You have political views you want to push, but don't screw other students while doing that. I sympathize with the cause, but that pales in comparison to students facing food insecurity and more. What are we going to do about it? We are the student government, not the Pentagon. Don't withhold student funding."
The university's Board of Regents has maintained it will not alter its investment policies.
