A protest at Emory University resulted in the arrest of 28 individuals, including 20 members of the Emory community, according to Vice President for Public Safety Cheryl Elliott. The incident occurred on Thursday morning when a group of protestors arrived on campus and disregarded the presence of Emory Police Department (EPD) officers.
Elliott stated that the protestors pushed past the officers and set up tents in an area designated for Commencement equipment and materials. Despite multiple dispersal orders issued to vacate the premises due to trespassing, the protestors refused to comply.
As a result, Atlanta Police and Georgia State Patrol officers were called in to assist EPD in dispersing the crowd and making arrests for criminal trespass. The Georgia State Patrol confirmed that a taser was deployed on an individual who resisted arrest and was not affiliated with Emory University.
During the protest response, the Georgia State Patrol used pepper balls to control the unruly crowd but did not resort to tear gas. The situation escalated when protestors began throwing bottles at officers and continued to defy orders to disperse.
The Emory University administration has yet to release further details regarding the incident or any potential disciplinary actions against the arrested individuals. The protest and subsequent arrests have sparked discussions within the Emory community about freedom of speech, campus safety, and appropriate protest conduct.
