A University of Chicago student faces felony charges for allegedly battering a Chicago police officer during a pro-Palestinian demonstration on October 11th. The 21-year-old undergraduate is accused of striking an officer in the face and body, and grabbing the officer’s arms, causing bruising. The incident occurred amidst clashes between protesters and police, who used pepper spray and batons.
A faculty member, who witnessed the event but wished to remain anonymous due to fear of retaliation, claims the student was attempting to protect another protester being struck with a baton. The faculty member insists the student showed no aggression towards police.
Bystander video, reviewed by WBEZ, shows a protester, believed to be the accused student, intervening as another protester is restrained by officers. The video depicts the student reaching for an officer’s baton after it’s used against the male protester. While the student is seen trying to reach the male protester, the video does not clearly show her striking or grabbing any officers. WBEZ could not independently confirm whether the video depicts the incident leading to the charges.
Police arrested the student on December 11th at her dorm, two months after the demonstration, charging her with obstruction and aggravated battery of a peace officer. The Chicago Police Department explained the delay as a result of a follow-up investigation.
Muhammad Sankari, lead organizer for the Arab American Action Network, suggests the delayed arrest may be linked to the change in leadership at the State’s Attorney’s Office. He believes the new State’s Attorney, Eileen O’Neill Burke, is taking a “tough on crime” approach, in contrast to her predecessor, Kim Foxx. O’Neill Burke’s office declined to comment on the claim, citing the pending case.
Sankari advises student protesters to understand the law and connect with organizations like the National Lawyers Guild. He criticizes the authorities’ response, stating it’s unfortunate that so much energy is spent targeting young people protesting what he calls “livestreamed genocide.”