The DeKalb County State Court has closed 17 out of 27 of the April 25, 2024, related cases without a trial. The information for one of these cases is not publicly accessible, as of Oct. 17. On April 25, 2024, various law enforcement agencies arrested 28 people, 20 of whom were Emory community members, participating in a pro-Palestine encampment.
In addition to being charged with criminal trespass, the District Attorney charged two people with open cases with disorderly conduct and obstruction of law enforcement officers. Additionally, the District Attorney charged a person with an open case for simple battery against a police officer.
At least three arrestees have pleaded not guilty, and at least one has filed a motion to dismiss their case with the DeKalb County State Court.
Criminal trespass involves entering another person’s property without their consent, and simple battery is insulting or physically contacting another person without their permission.
Several defendants have calendar calls scheduled for December, during which attorneys meet with the judge. The court has not set a trial date for any of the defendants.
On April 25, 2024, approximately 45 to 50 protestors established a pro-Palestine encampment with tents, tables and symbolic displays on the Quad. Around 9 a.m., the Atlanta Police Department (APD) and Georgia State Patrol arrived to assist the Emory Police Department, and by 9:17 a.m., EPD Deputy Chief Timothy Powers ordered protestors to disperse within 10 minutes. When protestors refused, officers surrounded the encampment and began arresting protestors around 10:30 a.m. The officers also deployed irritating pepper powder and tased an individual four times on the Quad.
Siya Kumar (she/her) (28C) is a news editor at The Emory Wheel. She is from New Orleans, La., majoring in Economics and Creative Writing on the pre-law track. Outside of the Wheel, Kumar is a market news analyst for the Emory Economics Investment Forum and a writer for the Emory Economics Review. She loves baking, reading, and drinking coffee.
