ISU protests continue after Friday arrests

Posted on May 7, 2024

*Students started camping on the quad on April 30. (Photo courtesy WMBD-TV)*

NORMAL – Demonstrations continue at Illinois State University after seven people were arrested on Friday.

According to records from the McLean County Circuit’s Clerk Office, seven people were charged with trespassing on state land and trespassing a state building.

Students started camping on the quad on April 30. and on Friday morning, several students met with ISU President Aondover Tarhule in Hovey Hall. They were arrested after failing to leave after the president’s office was closed.

According to ISU spokesman Chris Coplan on Friday, the seven who were suspended and arrested are:

Steve Lazarov, 40, of Normal.
Jomareun Richardson, 21, Normal
Aiden Marcikic, 20, Mundelein, Ill.
Kevin Dion, 20, Normal
Jo Boedefeld, 21, Normal
Daniel Kimball, 20, Little York
Rebekah Mangels, 23, Normal

They will have an arraignment on May 23.

Coplan said that he can not comment on individual student disciplinary matters due to student privacy laws, but he did comment on concerns about possible protests during the upcoming commencement ceremonies.

Illinois State University steadfastly upholds the right to freedom of expression for all members of our campus community. Peaceful protest is always welcome at ISU, but disruptions to the orderly conduct of commencement ceremonies will not be tolerated, per university policy. Our institution maintains clear policies and procedures to responsibly manage the time, place, and manner of activities in our campus facilities and spaces. We remain actively engaged in monitoring current events. All students participating in a commencement ceremony should wear commencement regalia. Students may express themselves through the decorating of their mortarboard caps, or the wearing of stoles/cords or other attire. We look forward to celebrating Spring ’24 Commencement this weekend.
ISU’S SPOKESPERSON CHRIS COPLAN

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