The University of Illinois warned of arrests and suspensions if protesters did not leave the encampment

The University of Illinois warned of arrests and suspensions if protesters did not leave the encampment

The University of Illinois is warning of consequences, including arrest and temporary suspension, for those who participate in demonstrations on campus that began Friday morning.

University police in the afternoon tried to escort staff to the area to remove the encampment but were prevented from entering by protesters, the university said in a statement Friday night. This led officers to decide to “de-escalate the situation” and retreat to “reduce the risk of injury to themselves or the protesters.”

“This situation has escalated beyond peaceful expression,” the university said. “Those who do not comply with our instructions to leave will be subject to consequences, including arrest, where criminal laws are violated, and possible immediate suspension of the student.”
The university said it would work to convince the protesters to disperse voluntarily, and “hope they make that choice.”

“Our community is not responsible for the development of this conflict, and we do not have the power to end this terrible war no matter how much we want to,” the statement said. “We are focused now on what we can do to keep our entire campus and community as safe as possible during this difficult time.”