Students that took part in a protest against Jeff Sessions are receiving citations from their university.
Last month, former US Attorney General visited Northwestern University in Illinois at the request of the school’s College Republicans group. He gave a short 45-minute speech followed by a 30 minute question period. The entire event was only marred when protestors managed to sneak their way inside to shout slogans like “shame” and “go home.”
On the inside, anyway. On the outside, police were present and trying to keep protestors from entering the school building. Sessions himself was led away with heavy police escort.
According to Northwestern University officials, however, some of those protestors were a little more than rowdy and will receive citations from the campus police.
"Northwestern supports vigorous debate and free expression, ideals that are core values to our institution,” the University said in a statement. “On Nov. 5, those ideals were on display when a student group hosted former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions.”
"During his talk, demonstrators vocally protested his visit. An overwhelming majority of the demonstrators were peaceful and adhered to University policies. A small handful of the demonstrators attempted to disrupt Mr. Sessions’ speech."
According to a school reporter, some students attempted to enter the building from the back but were stopped by officers. Those protestors will be issued citations for disorderly conduct and interfering with the duties of a police officer, which has a maximum fine of $125.
Fines will be issued for "conduct directed toward police, such as pushing, grabbing or kicking police officers as they attempted to perform their duties and secure the building." These fines come after a month-long investigation by the Northwestern University Police Department.
Although these citations do not carry a criminal record, many students will likely consider it to be opening old wounds. The school newspaper issued a lengthy apology following the events of November 5th, describing the protests as a “traumatic event.”
Sessions stepped down as US Attorney General in 2018 at the request of President Trump. He’s also been widely criticized for his policy of separating immigrant families at the border and keeping young children in cages.
Source: Northwestern University, Fox News