Campus protests saw 3K arrested, but most charges dropped: Report

Over 3,100 arrested during college pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel protests
Most faced trespassing or disturbing the peace charges, some resisted arrest
Many were cleared of legal troubles, but some were banned or can't graduate

Updated: Jul 23, 2024 / 02:50 PM CDT

FILE – People listen to a speaker at a pro-Palestinian encampment calling for a permanent cease-fire in Gaza, inside the campus of Columbia University, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in New York. Columbia University said it has placed three administrators on leave while it investigates allegations that they exchanged unprofessional text messages while attending a panel discussion about antisemitism on campus. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki, File)

(NewsNation) — More than 3,100 people were arrested or detained during protests over the Israel-Hamas war nationwide this year, The New York Times reports, though many charges have been dropped.

Most students faced charges of trespassing or disturbing the peace, while others were charged with resisting arrest, per the publication.

Delia Garza, the prosecutor of Travis County, Texas, told The New York Times that she dropped criminal trespassing charges against more than 100 people arrested at the University of Texas at Austin. Garza noted that such offenses are minor, nonviolent and aren’t a priority for prosecutors.

However, some prosecutors are focused on those facing charges of destroying property and looting, according to the report.

While many no longer face legal troubles, the report said some students have been banned from their campuses or are unable to graduate.

Protesters were detained at more than 70 schools in at least 30 states, ranging from Arizona State University, with its 80,000 students, to the University of Mary Washington in Virginia, with 4,000 students, according to data collected by the newspaper.