Virginia Tech pro-Palestine protesters speak after arrest

BLACKSBURG, Va. (WDBJ) – Pro-Palestine protesters held a press conference at Virginia Tech after the University’s response to this past weekend’s protests and arrests.

“On that day at 5:30, [they] told us that the reason we were allowed to stay was in order for our voices to be heard, all the while, they came for the expressive reason of suppressing us and telling us to leave,” said Virginia Tech student Emon Green.

On Sunday, 82 protesters were arrested for protesting on campus grounds. That list includes 52 students and 5 professors.

Green believes the environment was safe and protestors were peaceful.

“The Vice President of Student Affairs came down to speak with us, but not for the open conversation,” said one Virginia Tech student. “We believe she was there for a while we explained our demands and why we had created the encampment. She replies by saying I am not here to discuss why you are here, but only to tell you that you have to leave.”

She recalls Sunday events describing the arrest as traumatic.

“Many arrestees reported numbness and loss of feeling in their hands. Due to the zip ties being overly tight to the point of cutting circulation,” she said.

VT Student Faatina Hameed added they are committed to their original demands; To Disclose, Divest, and Defend.

“On October 11, President Sands released a statement condemning the events of October 7 and the loss of civilian life in Israel, burst Hall was lit up in the color of the Israeli flag,” Hameed announced. “Our most immediate and critical ask was for Sands and the administration to release a statement equally recognizing the immense loss of life in Gaza as well as a result of the Israeli regime’s attacks.”

Some protesters say they were charged with trespassing and face student conduct charges.

One Virginia Tech professor requests the university drop all charges against the protesters.

“We additionally demand that they reinstate and that they protect students and faculty is a constitutional right to assembly, free speech and protest moving forward,” said Virginia Tech professor Desirée Poets.

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