Michigan AG Dismisses Charges Against Pro-Palestinian U of M Protesters

Michigan Attorney General Dismisses Charges Against Pro-Palestinian Activists

The Michigan Attorney General's office has announced the dismissal of felony charges against seven pro-Palestinian protesters who were arrested nearly one year ago during a police operation at the University of Michigan. The protesters were facing accusations of resisting arrest during their demonstration.

Judge Cedric Simpson of the Ann Arbor District Court agreed to the motion to dismiss the charges, opting not to address a motion that sought the recusal of Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel from the case. Defense attorneys argued that Nessel's previous comments regarding a pro-Palestinian slogan, which some view as antisemitic, suggested a possible partiality that could affect the integrity of the case.

In court, defense teams referenced a recusal request in another case, where Nessel's remarks about the protesters were interpreted as indicative of her bias. However, Nessel called these claims "baseless and absurd," describing the recusal motion as a "diversionary tactic" aimed at prolonging the legal process.

In her official statement, Nessel expressed her ongoing belief in the merit of the original charges but indicated that the decision to dismiss was influenced by resource allocation considerations. A letter from the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor played a role in this decision, in which she acknowledged, “The impropriety of this action has led us to the difficult decision to drop these charges.”

The courtroom's atmosphere shifted positively as the ruling was announced, with applause erupting from supporters and defendants expressing emotional relief and gratitude. Defense attorney Amir Makled remarked, “This case was not about trespassing… This was about the criminalization of free speech. And today, the state of Michigan agrees that you still have the right to speak up.”

Defendant Sammie Lewis hailed the ruling as a significant victory for the pro-Palestinian movement, stating, “Today is a huge win for not just us, but the entire movement for Palestine.” She conveyed her relief, emphasizing the personal impact the case had on her life while allowing her to continue her advocacy work.

Besides the dismissed charges, Lewis and another activist are still facing legal challenges concerning separate allegations related to an event known as "Festifall" aimed at new University of Michigan students. A hearing for those charges is scheduled for next month.

Meanwhile, Attorney General Nessel continues to pursue charges against two individuals associated with trespassing during the encampment's clearance, in addition to two counter-protesters who have been charged with disturbing the peace and destruction of property linked to their actions against the pro-Palestinian encampment.

This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.