Dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters won’t be charged for trespassing on Dartmouth Green

This story by Christina Dolan was first published by the Valley News on June 27.

HANOVER, N.H. — Hanover Police prosecutor Mariana Pastore has decided against filing criminal trespass charges against at least 28 of the people arrested during a pro-Palestinian demonstration on the Dartmouth Green last month, according to paperwork she filed in Lebanon District Court Thursday.

Additionally, Pastore charged 35 of the 89 people arrested on May 1 with violations instead of misdemeanors. They are scheduled to be arraigned on July 15.

A charge of “violation” indicates that an action was illegal, but not criminal, and it does not carry jail time, nor can it result in a criminal record. Fines and court fees, however, may be imposed.

Pastore still hasn’t revealed her plans for the remaining 24 cases tied to the May 1 demonstration.

She has until late July to decide what to do before the final two dozen arrestees are arraigned on Aug. 5.

Criminal trespass cases against two Dartmouth College student journalists were dropped shortly after their arrests at the May 1 demonstration.

Reached by telephone on Thursday, Pastore declined to comment on why some of the protesters were let off completely while others still face a violation.

Among the 28 people whose charges were completely dropped were Dartmouth Professor of Religion Christopher MacEavitt, several Dartmouth undergraduates and a number of community members not affiliated with the college.

Laura Simon, 71, of Wilder, was among the protesters who learned Thursday that her case had been dismissed. She described the protest as “obviously peaceful,” but was prepared to be arrested.

“I believe that nonviolent direct action works,” Simon said. “This is how we’re going to make a difference.”

On the evening of May 1, hundreds of demonstrators gathered on the Green to protest the war in Gaza and demand that Dartmouth divest from companies doing business with Israel. As night fell, the protesters began to erect tents, which was against Dartmouth’s policies. After several warnings about the tent policy were rebuffed, state and local police from around the region, some dressed in riot gear, moved toward the crowd. Before the night was over 89 people were arrested for criminal trespass.

The bail conditions of many of those arrested prohibited them from certain areas of the college campus, including the Green, although a May 28 court ruling allowed some Dartmouth students temporary campus access so that they could attend graduation.

At Dartmouth’s commencement ceremony on June 9, some graduates conveyed their ongoing frustration with the administration by displaying Palestinian flags and refusing to shake hands with President Sian Leah Beilock as they walked across the stage.

Meanwhile, a hearing on a motion to dismiss is scheduled for Tuesday at 3 p.m. in Lebanon District Court for two Dartmouth students, Roan Wade and Kevin Engel, who were arrested for criminal trespass in October for protesting outside of Beilock’s office.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters won’t be charged for trespassing on Dartmouth Green .