Brown University says arrests of student protestors came after repeated warnings

PROVIDENCE, R.I (WLNE) — Brown University released a full statement Thursday following the arrests of 20 student protestors, saying they were repeatedly informed they were trespassing in a building on campus.

The sit-in protest over the Israel-Hamas war began around noon Wednesday in University Hall, the main administrative building.

Brown officials said university staff informed the students they had every right to protest as long as there weren’t any security concerns or distractions.

They said 20 students gathered in the rotunda. Staff noted in the statement that, “for the area where the students were located, fire codes allow for no fixed capacity of any kind — the space is a hallway that must remain free for entry, exit and travel in the building.”

Student protestors at Brown University hold signs saying “ceasefire now” and “not in our name” in regard to the Israel-Hamas war. (Photo courtesy of Jews For Ceasefire Now)

Campus Life administrators repeatedly checked in with the demonstrators to keep them well-informed on the policy that they could not stay in the building after hours.

They said the students were told multiple times that they could face disciplinary action up to being removed from schooling for violation of policy.

In the evening, staff told the group that they could be arrested for trespassing after the close of business if they still refused to leave.

Officials said students were prohibited from being in non-residential campus buildings after hours to keep everyone safe.

Brown University students are escorted off campus in handcuffs after a sit-in protest over the Israel-Hamas war, Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023. (WLNE)

One student who spoke with ABC 6 News Wednesday night said he didn’t feel the message of the protest represented him.

“I’m a part of the Jewish community here, and I feel like they don’t represent the large majority of the Jewish population on campus. And really, the large majority of the Jewish population on campus are in support of the state of Israel,” said freshman Gabriel Burstyn.

Organizers of the protest told ABC 6 said the purpose of the demonstration was to show that the Jewish community doesn’t share the same view.

“We’re trying to dispel the narrative that there is one Jewish voice, that the Jewish voice is in favor of the indiscriminate bombings in Gaza that has come at the cost of ten thousand Gazan lives,” an organizer said.

Brown issued trespass warnings at about 5:25 p.m.

Hundreds of Brown University students gather as 20 student protestors are taken away in handcuffs for trespassing after a demonstration over the Israel-Hamas war, Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023. (WLNE)

“Ultimately, following repeated warnings, the University moved forward with arrests after students were given every opportunity to avoid that outcome,” the statement said.

The 20 students were processed by campus police and escorted to the Providence Police Department.

Brown officials said staff recognizes the weight of the Israel-Hamas war and has shown compassion to those affected by the violence.

“At Brown, we recognize our responsibility for being an educational institution that manages challenging discussions in a way that remains true to the fundamental principle of freedom of expression while emphasizing the importance of safety for all community members. Brown leaders have met with many student groups in recent weeks to listen to and address concerns, and we will continue to do so moving forward,” the statement said.

“We know that many community members are feeling the effects of these events in deep and personal ways. Our focus remains on providing care and empathy, and supporting the safety of our students, faculty and staff who are Israeli, Palestinian, Muslim, Jewish, have ties to the region, and are feeling impacted by current events,” the statement concluded.