The College Fix

Students also must write essay on ‘difference between vandalism and protest’

Pro-Palestinian students accused of vandalizing a University of Minnesota building will be fined and required to write essays about the “difference between vandalism and protest” in order to return to school, according to online reports.

Seven students reportedly have been suspended and required to pay $5,500 in restitution for their actions during the takeover of a campus administrative building Oct. 21, The Algemeiner reports.

A university disciplinary tribunal informed the students of the consequences last week, according to a statement on Instagram from UMN Students for a Democratic Society and other anti-Israel groups.

“Alongside arbitrary suspensions, the university intends to withhold the transcripts of those arrested,” the anti-Israel groups stated. “This means for the duration of the suspension the students are unable to transfer to a different institution without forfeiting the credits they have rightfully earned and paid for.

“To even be readmitted after suspensions, the students have to do 20 hours of community service and write a 5-10 page essay about the ‘difference between vandalism and protest,’” they wrote.

However, the university has not confirmed these details.

A spokesperson told The Algemeiner that “federal and state privacy laws prevent the university from confirming or commenting on any specifics related to individual student discipline.”

During the October protest, the protesters caused damages to a campus building, spray-painting security cameras and breaking windows and doors, The Minnesota Daily reports. Photos from the report also show furniture being used to barricade doors.

The protesters demanded the university “cut all ties” with Israel. Police removed them from the building several hours later and 11 were arrested, according to the report.

Last week, the anti-Israel groups called the discipline “unjust” and asked supporters to help pressure the university to reverse its decision.

“Spread the word!” they stated. “Talk to your friends, email your professors, don’t let this go silent!”

On Tuesday, the Minneapolis City Council approved a resolution “demanding all criminal charges and academic discipline be dropped against the student protesters,” Sahan Journal reports.

However, a professor at Sarah Lawrence College supported the university’s disciplinary action in an X post Wednesday.

Politics Professor Samuel Abrams said his institution should take similar disciplinary actions after pro-Palestinian protesters barricaded themselves inside a building on the New York campus last month, The Fix reported.

“Those students who took over Wetlands and damaged the building and threatened the security staff should pay for the repairs and time of the staff. There is no reason anyone else should cover these costs,” Abrams wrote.

Abrams also posted a photo of pro-Palestinian vandalism he found recently on a campus restroom stall. The words “Divest from death!” appear to be written in black permanent marker on a wall of the restroom.

“I don’t appreciate seeing such hate filled messaging in the restroom stalls. Do you plan on cleaning this up? Perhaps charging the students who are damaging school property? ⁦@SLCSocialists,” he wrote. “btw Israel has a right to exist and defend itself.”

MORE: Pro-Palestinian protesters barricade themselves in Sarah Lawrence building

IMAGE: UMN Students for a Democratic Society/Instagram

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