As of 4:00 p.m. an official from the New York Police Department (NYPD) told the New School Free Press that 45 students in total were arrested this morning at The New School, and all of them have been released.
According to the official, students were arrested on charges of criminal trespassing, though they did not share details on the exact degree. According to the New York Penal Law, criminal trespassing occurs when an individual enters or remains in a building. The punishment for criminal trespassing depends on the offence class.
The official also noted that charges for some students may vary depending on whether or not they resisted arrest, but did not provide any numbers for how many students faced additional charges.
The students received Desk Appearance Tickets (DATs) which are written orders issued by the police, requiring individuals to appear in criminal court at a specified date and time. The official noted that dates for students released today will likely be at the end of May.
DATs are issued in place of a formal arrest process, and individuals are not considered guilty of a crime just by virtue of receiving a DAT and being arrested. The students are expected to appear in court, after which a judge will set bail if they are found guilty. Members of the Gaza Solidarity Encampment have set up a Venmo account, @tnsjailsupport, to collect support funds for students who were released today.
TNS Staff Senate co-chairs reported after a meeting with Interim President Donna Shalala and Provost Reneé White, that students who were arrested and deemed in violation of university policy have been temporarily suspended. The directive for suspensions came from the Director of Student Conduct And Community Standards in the Provost’s office, Kamla Holland.
Each student’s case will be investigated individually before a final decision on their suspension is made. Students present at One Police Plaza confirmed with reporters from the New School Free Press that they received emails informing them that they have been temporarily suspended.
This is a developing story. This article will be updated once more information is available.
Collect support funds???? This is craziness! Go to study and stop interrupting the academic life of others! Free Palestine from HAMAS and Islamic terrorism! STOP antisemitism!