Protesters demand university system drop charges against arrested UNH students

University of New Hampshire students protested outside a meeting of the university system’s Board of Trustees Friday morning, calling on the university administration to drop charges against 11 students arrested during a pro-Palestinian protest in May. Protesters stood outside the Memorial Union Building’s Strafford Room during the meeting, chanting “drop charges and divest.”

The public portion of the board meeting was halted when it was determined the protest chants were too disruptive. Later, an officer warned the group that they should tone down their volume. New Hampshire law states that police have the right to evict those who actively disrupt a public meeting.

“We also have the right to conduct council business undisturbed,” Alex Walker, council president, told protesters. “Chanting and noise legitimately disrupt people’s ability… to concentrate on the business at hand.” »

After stepping back and lowering the volume, protesters remained outside for the duration of the rally, which lasted about an hour and a half.

Across the state, charges against at least 28 people arrested during similar protests at Dartmouth College were dropped Thursday, according to the Valley News.

Adeena Ahsan is a graduate student and member of the Palestine Solidarity Coalition at UNH. She said she believes the university should follow suit with institutions across the state and country.

“Charges have been dropped across the country. The charges were dropped even in UT-Austin, where they also called in state troopers,” she said.

In an email to NHPR, Catherine Provencher, USNH's chief administrative officer and new chancellor, said the university does not have the authority to drop charges against arrested students.

“There is a law enforcement process that the New Hampshire University System and UNH respect and will allow to play out, which is managed by the Strafford County Prosecutor's Office and the University Police Department” , she said. “The university administration does not have the authority to drop charges and it is not appropriate for university leadership to manage this enforcement process.” »

At least eleven people, including students arrested on May 1, submitted a letter Friday morning indicating their intention to sue the university and Gov. Chris Sununu, according to Ahsan. The potential plaintiffs claim their civil rights were violated during the protest.

Provencher said the university had not yet received the letter and did not comment on the potential litigation.

Ahsan, who was present at the May Day protest and helped organize the trial, said the trial was important in holding those in power accountable.

“On May 1st, our civil rights were violated,” she said. “We filed this notice of intent to sue to set a precedent that this kind of speech, this kind of gathering, is not criminalized.”

Ahsan said her experience in May and the administrative response led her to feel unsafe on campus.

“As a person of color, I certainly don't feel welcome on this campus and by this administration, which feels so comfortable turning the police on its students for nothing,” she said. “Basically any time they feel uncomfortable.”