Brown University students could face charges for sit-in protest Monday

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Brown University students held another sit-in protest on Monday, calling on their school to support a ceasefire in the Middle East and divest from companies that facilitate the conflict.

According to a letter from Christina Paxson, Brown University’s president, the group of students are holding the sit-in inside University Hall and have until 5 p.m. before the building officially closes and criminal charges could be filed.

The letter reads in part, “University Hall is a secure building that maintains confidential and privileged information in multiple offices; staying in the building after business hours poses security concerns.”

The letter continues reading, “Willful trespass of a school building is unlawful per Rhode Island statute and a violation of Brown’s conduct code; implications include arrest, criminal charges and review per the University’s conduct procedures.”

This comes after 20 students were arrested at a sit-in protest inside Presidents Hall back in November.

The charges against the 20 students were dropped shortly after a Palestinian Brown University student was shot in Burlington, Vermont.