Two of the 12 protesters arrested Wednesday during a pro-Palestinian protest at the University of New Hampshire are facing assault charges after they were accused of grabbing the university police chief.
Aiden Turner and Sebastian Rowan were released on personal recognizance after they appeared in court on charges of disorderly conduct, simple assault and criminal trespass.
One of the other students arrested said the protest was peaceful when police moved in.
“Suddenly, the state police riot squad show up, and frankly, it’s the worst display of police violence I’ve ever seen in this state,” said Jason, a UNH student.
Some of the charges could mean jail time for those convicted.
“Most of them are Class A misdemeanors, which means that they’re only facing potentially up to a year in jail,” said Assistant County Attorney Jessica Survalas.
Rowan said he couldn’t comment on the altercation with the police chief, but he had some thoughts about what happened.
“I’m feeling angry,” he said. “The university released a statement this past week saying there should be a high bar that’s met before someone’s free speech and freedom to assembly are violated. And apparently, that bar was placing a tent on the ground.”
Rowan said that what’s happening in Gaza is personal to him.
“I see on Instagram, every day, videos of babies being killed by the Israeli military,” he said. “As you just saw, I have a 2-year-old daughter. I’ve seen fathers who’ve lost their kids, and it’s heartbreaking.”
The UNH president released a statement saying he completely supports free speech on campus but was extremely disappointed in the events that transpired there.
