Illinois State University protestors stand trial for May 3 trespassing arrest

Posted on July 10, 2024
Protesters camped up on Illinois State Universities Quad. (WMBD-TV)

By WMBD-TV

BLOOMINGTON/NORMAL – Following the arrests of seven protestors at Illinois State University in May, all appeared in court today for a pre-trial hearing.

Just after 1:30 p.m., the court began with the attorney of the seven protestors, Cheryl Weikel, taking the stand and asking for a continuance, citing a busy two weeks without time for proper preparation.

Weikel also said that this trial was “content based,” claiming the content in which they protested for was the basis of prosecution.

All seven defendants were arrested on May 3 following a meeting with ISU president Aondover Tarhule at Hovey Hall over the war in Gaza in which the defendants would not leave the premises after the building closed.

The defendants were arrested and charged with trespassing.

The judge of the case granted the continuance asked for by Weikel, and moved the pre-trial date to July 31 at 2:30 p.m.

WMBD-TV can be reached at [email protected].

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