Art Institute of Chicago no longer pursuing charges against 68 arrested at pro-Palestinian protest

CHICAGO (WLS) -- After a weekend pro-Palestinian demonstration at the Art Institute of Chicago ended with dozens of arrests, there is a new twist on Monday night.

ABC7 has learned that the Art Institute is no longer pursuing criminal trespassing charges.

However, there is some concern that the incident could be a precursor to what police might face with demonstrators during the Democratic National Convention.

When demonstrators took over a garden area at the Art Institute on Saturday, they shoved a security guard, stole her keys and radio and blocked an emergency exit, according to the school and police.

When officers ordered protesters to disperse and they refused, 68 people were arrested.

"It was textbook. They utilized de-escalation tactics over a period of time. Those tactics failed. And when the Art Institute signed the complaint, said we need to take action here, they did the right thing," said 2nd Ward Ald. Brian Hopkins, who chairs the Chicago City Council Public Safety Committee.

SEE ALSO: Group of University of Chicago faculty defend pro-Palestinian encampment

In a letter to the school community, Art Institute leaders said, in part, "The School will not pursue any academic sanctions against the SAIC students who participated in Saturday's protest and we are grateful to the museum for notifying us that they do not intend to pursue trespassing charges against our students"

The Cook County State's Attorney's Office issued a statement, saying, "Police direct file misdemeanor cases, and they are not referred to the CCSAO. In accordance with our current protest policy, we will review these misdemeanor cases charged by police and if appropriate to do so, the cases will be dismissed on the first court date. At this time, we have not been contacted by police to review any felony charges regarding circumstances at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. If and when felony charges are sought, charging decisions will be made based on the facts, evidence and the law."

On Monday, Mayor Brandon Johnson would not say if he agreed with police moving in to make those arrests.

"My ultimate desire and goal is to ensure that fundamental rights are protected, and that we're working to keep people safe and that was accomplished," Johnson said.

On Monday, some students were seen setting up a tent on the east side of the building.

School leaders say demonstrations are OK, but they warned that if there are further disruptions, like on Saturday, students will be subject to disciplinary action.

SEE ALSO | Congressman praises heckling of war protesters, including 1 who made monkey gestures at Black woman

If what happened to the Art Institute is a precursor to what could happen during the DNC with mass arrests Gov. JB Pritzker left open the possibility of using the National Guard if the city requests it.

"You know, what back when we had the NATO Summit here, we had the National Guard and didn't need it. I don't think we'll need it here but we always have at the ready," Pritzker said.

Ronnie Reese, Johnson's communications director, issued a statement, saying, "We'll operate in conjunction with our local and federal partners and assess every situation and deliver the appropriate response. Safety is our top priority, so we're working closely with law enforcement agencies to communicate with protestors and ensure we are fully prepared to provide safety and security for our entire city in August."

The mayor emphasized that the right to demonstrate is paramount, now and during the DNC.

The Chicago Police Department issued the following full statement about the protests:

At approximately 11:00 a.m., demonstrators set up an encampment at a garden on the Art Institute of Chicago property in the 100 block of South Michigan Avenue. Demonstrators barricaded and locked the gates to fortify their position. Chicago Police Department personnel immediately responded to maintain the safety of those participating in the demonstration, as well as all those in the surrounding area. For more than two hours, CPD negotiated with demonstrators and attempted to clear the area without arrest. During negotiations, the Art Institute offered an alternate site for the demonstrators, but the demonstrators refused. At approximately 3:30 p.m., the Art Institute requested CPD take enforcement action to remove those illegally occupying the property and a complaint was signed. At 4:11 p.m., CPD issued a warning to disperse. At 4:20 p.m., CPD issued a second warning to disperse. The third and final warning was issued at 4:30 p.m. The demonstrators were given another opportunity to leave without arrest, which several did. following these warnings, dozens of demonstrators were arrested for criminal trespass to property. Within 20 minutes of the final warning, the area was cleared.

The Art Institute of Chicago issued the following full statement about the protests:

The Art Institute of Chicago respects a group's right to peacefully protest without harming staff and visitors. Today, a group of individuals, including some SAIC students, began a protest in the museum's North Garden, and as it progressed, protesters surrounded and shoved a security officer and stole their keys to the museum, blocked emergency exits, and barricaded gates. The protest also began to escalate on Michigan Avenue outside of the museum. Because our priority is the safety of our employees, our visitors, and our collection, protesters were offered an alternative location to continue their protest on campus that would be safer for all involved, and they did not accept that relocation offer. During multiple rounds of negotiations, SAIC student protesters were promised amnesty from academic sanction and trespassing charges if they agreed to relocate. The School also agreed to meet with a student group to discuss their demands. After approximately five hours, an agreement could not be reached. The Chicago Police Department ended the protest in the safest way possible, and we estimate that approximately 50 people were arrested.

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago president and provost issued the following statement to the SAIC community:

Dear SAIC Community,
We have heard movingly and forcefully from students expressing a range of positions in regards to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza, and difficult debate, even protest, have a place at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Our paramount goal as a college is to maintain a campus for all learners-free of harassment, discrimination, and physical harm-that also allows us the freedom to express, disagree, and grow.

Yesterday, a group of individuals, including some SAIC students, began a protest in the museum's North Garden. They set up tents and shoved a security officer, stealing her radio and keys to the museum; thereafter, museum personnel alerted the Chicago Police Department, who were on site throughout the day. School leaders, then arriving at the scene, worked to ensure the safety of our students and the museum's employees, visitors, and collection. As the day progressed, protesters blocked emergency exits to the garden and museum, which was open for visitors; scaled the scaffolding alongside the building; and barricaded gates. Protesters also summoned additional demonstrators via social media, establishing an additional presence on Michigan Avenue outside of the museum.

We were concerned that the situation had the potential to cause significant harm to the protestors and the public, so we took a number of steps to de-escalate the conflict and mitigate the safety risk. Protesters were offered an alternative location to continue their protest on campus that would not block fire exits or endanger artwork. Student protesters were promised amnesty from academic sanction and trespassing charges if they relocated, and we agreed to meet with a student group to discuss their demands. After multiple rounds of negotiations over approximately five hours, the protestors declined to relocate.
Ultimately, the museum requested that the Chicago Police Department end the protest in the safest way possible. Many protesters left the premises of their own accord after being notified by the police that they were trespassing and subject to arrest; those that remained were arrested after multiple warnings to leave, including some of whom we recognized as SAIC students.

The safety of us all, and those who share our School/museum campus, are prerequisites to a productive learning environment. As we have previously written, our fidelity to academic freedom allows for protest, criticism, and public argument. We respect the right of our community members to peacefully protest, and we have demonstrated this commitment throughout the academic year. For instance, separate protests were previously held inside of the museum, student-led demonstrations have taken place on campus and, as recently as last week, in front of Sharp, the museum, and in the middle of Michigan Avenue; each of these examples took place without interruption or interference from the School, museum, or the Chicago Police Department.

We have no higher obligation than ensuring that we maintain a physically safe Art Institute of Chicago campus in which community members conduct themselves with respect for our many differences. The School will not pursue any academic sanctions against the SAIC students who participated in Saturday's protest and we are grateful to the museum for notifying us that they do not intend to pursue trespassing charges against our students. We will continue to allow peaceful demonstrations, but given the escalations we've seen in the protests over time, we wish to notify the School community that those who engage in future activities that jeopardize the safety of our community or the public, or disrupt academic operations, will be subject to disciplinary action.

Elissa Tenny
President
Martin Berger
Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs