In a growing show of solidarity, over 40 organizations have signed a resolution supporting pro-Palestine protesters from Tulane and Loyola Universities. These protesters, many of whom were involved in peaceful demonstrations against Tulane University’s ties with Israel, are set to face trial on September 20th at Orleans Parish Criminal Court.
The resolution calls for District Attorney Jason Williams and City Attorney Donesia Turner to drop all charges against the protesters, who are facing legal repercussions for their activism. The organizations argue that the charges are unjust, particularly following multiple incidents of police brutality, and accuse Tulane University of endorsing harsh crackdowns on student activism.
The protests, which have spanned several months, began when activists challenged Tulane’s affiliations with Israel. Tensions escalated after Tulane emeritus board member Walter Isaacson was captured on video grabbing and shoving a student, Rory MacDonald, during a protest on March 13. Despite the incident being caught on camera, Isaacson has faced no legal consequences, fueling accusations of bias from the university.
Subsequent protests resulted in numerous arrests, including the March 16 arrest of Toni Jones, an organizer with New Orleans for Community Oversight of Police (NOCOP), and more on April 29 during a peaceful encampment for Gaza organized by Students for a Democratic Society (SDS). The April protest saw several activists arrested and allegedly injured due to police misconduct. Police horses and officers were reportedly involved in causing the injuries.
The conflict reached a peak on May 1, when over 100 Louisiana State Police officers used tear gas and a BearCat armored vehicle to disperse protesters. Fourteen people were arrested that day, with some protesters accusing the police of excessive force. The SDS’s encampment was ultimately shut down, but the arrests have continued, with one student being targeted and charged with a felony days after the encampment ended.
The resolution, signed by a broad coalition of local and national organizations, calls on Tulane University to end what they describe as a “witch-hunt” against the activists and demands that the legal charges against them be dropped. The statement also criticizes the use of police force and the university’s response to peaceful protest.
Notable groups supporting the resolution include Jewish Voices for Peace – New Orleans, Voice of the Experienced, the New Orleans Democratic Socialists of America, and the Palestinian Youth Movement – New Orleans. The resolution emphasizes the importance of free speech and the right to protest and pledges to build a solidarity movement to defend the activists.
As the trial date approaches, protesters have invited the press to cover the proceedings. They plan to gather outside Orleans Parish Criminal Court Section C at 9 a.m. on September 20th, as 14 of the 22 arrested protesters face trial.
