PHOENIX – Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell has filed misdemeanor trespassing charges against 68 individuals involved in a pro-Palestinian demonstration at Arizona State University’s (ASU) Tempe campus. The charges come after protesters defied multiple police orders to leave the Alumni Lawn near Old Main in April 2024, where campus rules prohibit encampments.
The protest, which took place throughout the day, saw uniformed ASU Police officers repeatedly request that demonstrators remove their tents and vacate the area in accordance with university policy. However, most of the protesters refused to comply. The standoff continued until after midnight, at which point the remaining demonstrators were arrested with assistance from officers from the Tempe Police Department, Arizona Department of Public Safety, and Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.
Each of the 68 arrested individuals, many of whom were not students, faces charges of Criminal Trespass in the Third Degree, a Class Three Misdemeanor.
“The right to free speech does not extend to violating the law,” County Attorney Mitchell emphasized. “The university’s policy is clear—encampments are not permitted in this area. The protestors were given multiple opportunities to peacefully take down the encampments and leave. My office is now holding them accountable for their actions.”
While trial dates have not yet been scheduled, the case highlights the ongoing balance between upholding free speech and enforcing campus and public safety regulations.
For more information and updates on the trial, follow developments on the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office website.
