LANSING, Mich.— Nineteen individuals were arrested Thursday evening during a protest at Michigan State University’s John A. Hannah Administration Building. The protest, organized by the Hurriya Coalition, centered around demands for the university to divest from companies tied to weapons manufacturing and its alleged financial support of Israel.
According to officials from the Michigan State University Police and Public Safety (MSUPPS), those arrested were cited for trespassing and were released at the scene. Despite the significant number of arrests, MSU declined to release the names of those involved, citing “privacy concerns,” as explained by Nadia Vizueta, communications manager for MSUPPS. Both MSUPPS Chief Michael Yankowski and Deputy Chief Chris Rozman were present during the protest and the subsequent arrests.
In a statement issued the following day, the Hurriya Coalition revealed that 17 of the 19 arrested individuals were MSU students, with the remaining two being community members. The group, which has organized several protests over the past year, expressed disappointment in the university’s handling of their demands. “This is just the latest move in MSU’s long history of stalling, lying, and evading student protestors,” said Prayag Shankar, an MSU junior and student organizer with the Hurriya Coalition. “The mass arrest of me and 18 other protestors fits perfectly into a pattern of cowardice from President Gukiewicz and the Board.”
The protest, which took place inside the administration building, is part of the ongoing efforts by the Hurriya Coalition to push the university to reconsider its investment strategies, specifically targeting its financial ties to Israel. The group claims that MSU’s investments in weapons manufacturers contribute to what they describe as a “machine of war” and support for the state of Israel, which they accuse of committing genocide.
The Hurriya Coalition’s demands include the reinstatement of the university’s “social conscience” clause, which previously guided its investment policies to ensure that MSU’s financial holdings aligned with ethical considerations. The group also advocates for greater protection of international and undocumented students, especially in regard to their right to protest. In addition, they are pushing for the creation of a Middle East and North Africa Institute at MSU and partnerships with Palestinian universities, including those from Gaza.
In a news release, the group outlined their specific goals for MSU, calling for a serious dialogue about divestment and the university’s responsibility to align its financial practices with social justice values. “Students, staff, faculty, and community members have been pushing for divestment for over a year, only to be met with resistance at every turn,” the coalition stated.
The protest at MSU adds to the ongoing tension between students and university administrators regarding investment practices, human rights, and the treatment of protestors. As this issue continues to unfold, the Hurriya Coalition remains steadfast in its demands for change, challenging the university to take a more active role in addressing these global issues.
The university has yet to issue a statement responding to the protestors’ demands or to further explain its stance on the concerns raised during the demonstration.
