University faculty members across the country have been risking arrest to stand in support of student-led protests calling for transparency and divestment. At the University of Virginia, faculty members played a crucial role in negotiations with police during a protest against the university’s involvement with Israel’s war in Gaza. The night before police raided a pro-Palestinian encampment on campus, professors attempted to deescalate the situation and record their conversations with the university police chief, Tim Longo. Despite warnings from university officials, protesters refused to engage with the administration, prompting faculty members to act as intermediaries, wearing yellow armbands to distinguish their roles.
During the protest, professors Walter Heinecke and Mark Sicoli approached Chief Longo to seek clarification on campus policies regarding the use of tents. Despite ongoing negotiations, Chief Longo called in the Virginia State Police, who arrived armed with pepper spray and rifles to dismantle the encampment. Twenty-seven people were arrested, including at least one professor. The heavy police response sparked outrage and raised concerns about the university’s handling of the situation. Faculty members, including Heinecke, have since called for accountability and criticized what they perceived as a violent crackdown on free speech.
University officials defended their actions, citing concerns about outside agitators and physical confrontations with police as justification for the response. However, faculty members held their own town hall to challenge this narrative and question the necessity of the police intervention. The U.V.A. faculty senate later held a hearing with President Ryan to discuss the university’s response to the protests, with some speakers expressing disappointment and calling for an independent review of the decisions made by university leadership and Chief Longo on May 4.
Despite calls for accountability, the faculty senate stopped short of condemning the police action outright, instead calling for an independent review of the decisions made. Meanwhile, supporters of protesters facing trespassing charges gathered at the courthouse to show solidarity. Ultimately, many of those arrested at the protest encampment had their charges dismissed by the public prosecutor on May 15. The University of Virginia has not yet agreed to an independent review of its decision to call in the state police, leaving unresolved questions about the handling of the protest and the role of law enforcement on campus.
