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Frequently asked questions regarding GLC protests

9 May 2024

Please see questions and answers below regarding recent campus protest activity and Virginia Tech's response.

Is peaceful protest allowed at Virginia Tech?

Virginia Tech strongly supports free speech, even when the content of that speech may be disagreeable to some. Peaceful protests happen regularly on campus. Since October, student groups have hosted numerous pro-Palestinian events and protests.  While committed to freedom of expression, the university has a duty to minimize disruption to its mission and promote safety for those in our community. This generally is accomplished by requiring that these events are registered and reviewed in compliance with University Policy 5000.

What policy did the protest on the Graduate Life Center Lawn violate?

Shortly after an encampment was established on April 26, the university communicated to the participants that to comply with Policy 5000, all organized events must be registered and space reserved. Space may not be occupied overnight and temporary structures such as tents may not be erected without an approved exception to policy.

How does a group make sure that they are compliant with the policy?

The policy is clear about the requirement to seek approval to hold an event. University officials regularly work with groups on event logistics, safely and minimizing disruption to the university mission.

Why did police arrest participants on April 28-29?

For a period of approximately three days, protestors continued to violate the policy and indicated in words and action that they intended to continue to occupy the lawn of the Graduate Life Center. Given these actions, the university recognized that the situation had the increasing potential to become unsafe. Those concerns increased when the police shared information regarding a confrontation between protestors and a student with a different viewpoint.

Did protesters have an opportunity to avoid arrest?

Protestors were advised by university officials and police multiple times to disperse voluntarily from the Graduate Life Center lawn over a period of several hours. The first three communications were directed to those who appeared to be acting as the leaders or organizers. The fourth and fifth announcements were directed to the whole group by loudspeaker. Those who chose not to comply were then individually approached by police, again asked to leave and advised that anyone who failed to comply would be charged with trespassing, in accordance with Virginia law.

What law enforcement agencies assisted with any response?

The Virginia Tech Police, acting at the request of the university, led the police response and received assistance from several neighboring law enforcement agencies and the Virginia State Police. All arrests were conducted by the Virginia Tech Police Department.

How many people were arrested?

Virginia Tech Police reported that 82 individuals, including 53 current Virginia Tech students, were arrested in connection to this event. All were charged with trespassing, a misdemeanor in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

What consequences do arrested students face from Virginia Tech?

Per university policy, any student who is arrested is also subject to the student code of conduct. This is separate from the criminal justice system.

Has President Sands met with the student protestors?

President Sands regularly engages in discussions with groups of students and has recently met with several students who are leaders of the student organizations that led the protest on the GLC lawn. Since Oct. 7 of last year, he met with representatives of the Students for Peace and Justice in Palestine, the Muslim Student Association, the Middle Eastern and North African Student Association, and Hillel at Virginia Tech. He continues to reach out to students interested in engaging in civil discourse.

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