Nine arrested after chaining themselves to Kinnick Stadium in pro-Palestinian protest
A pro-Palestinian protest led to the arrest of nine people Saturday, Dec. 9, outside Kinnick Stadium.
Police reports say several persons had chained themselves to the entrance of Kinnick Stadium while a few had allegedly placed metal U-locks on the exit doors. Police say the protest was a safety risk for anyone inside the stadium, causing $200 in property damage.
Several protesters also allegedly refused to leave and did not follow police orders police during the arrest, authorities said. The University of Iowa Police Department made all nine of the arrests.
Each protester was charged with trespassing, causing injury or damage, interference with official acts, and disorderly conduct.
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Protestors call for a "free Palestine"
The demonstrators gathered at Kinnick to advocate for a "free Palestine" in opposition to the university's stance on the Israel-Hamas war, according to a statement made by the Students for Justice in Palestine Iowa City group Monday on Instagram.
The group did not respond to the Press-Citizen's request for additional comment.
The Students for Justice in Palestine said the protesters chose Kinnick because University of Iowa President Barbara Wilson was holding a holiday party inside.
The Students for Justice in Palestine said it did not organize the protest, though it did not say whether a specific entity was responsible.
“It is important that we distinguish that Students for Justice in Palestine Iowa City was not the organizer… and did not have an official presence at the action," the group said in an Instagram post.
The Students for Justice Palestine Instagram account shared a pair of videos of law enforcement arresting people outside of a building, though the organization said they did not film the videos.
"As an organization working toward a free Palestine, we stand in solidarity with others’ efforts in service of this goal," the statement read.
The group called Saturday's arrests "police brutality" and said it stands against all forms "of police brutality, whether perpetuated by the IOF against Palestinians or the ICPD and UIPD against advocates for a free Palestine."
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IOF stands for Israeli Occupational Forces, a term most commonly used by advocates for a free Palestine, and is another way to refer to the Israeli military, commonly known as the Israeli Defense Forces or IDF.
The arrested individuals were:
Anthony Allou, 19, of Coralville
Ariele Andalon, 27, of Iowa City
Mariam Daoud, 22, of Cedar Rapids
Ella Doolittle, 22, of Council Bluffs
Jared Kula, 22, of North Liberty
Brian Nilles, 23, of Ashton
Clara Reynen, 26, of Iowa City
Cassidy Slater-Scott, 24, of Iowa City
Gabriel Sperry, 26, of Iowa City
Trespassing charges could lead to fines
Depending on the determined true dollar amount of property damage caused, the trespass charges could be punished as a serious or simple misdemeanor. Initially, each of the nine individuals was charged with a serious misdemeanor, punishable by a fine between $430-$2,560. The court may also determine a prison sentence not to exceed one year.
Interference with official acts is a simple misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of between $105-$850 and, if the court wishes, a maximum jail sentence of 30 days.
Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at [email protected] or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01.
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Pro-Palestine protesters chain selves to Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City