A University student faces a charge of mob action after University Police used her social media profile and video surveillance to identify and tie her to the pro-Palestine demonstrations and encampment that occurred at the end of the semester.
Mob action is designated as a class 4 felony, and Yafa K. Issa, 18, of Savoy, looks at one to three years in prison if convicted.
Protest efforts began on April 26 near Alma Mater, and tents were erected by protestors later that afternoon.
University officials informed demonstrators that they were in violation of campus regulations on Outdoor Displays and Express Activity and that they faced potential consequences if the tents were not taken down.
By 4:26 p.m., UIPD officers broke the barrier made by protestors and began removing tents from the site. Protestors continued to bring and set up new tents, and officers and campus officials eventually left after being unable to shut down the encampment.
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The UIPD released a statement at 6:11 p.m. on their Facebook page, stating that “anyone who interferes with that removal is subject to consequences, including arrest when criminal laws are violated.”
In the following weeks, pro-Palestine demonstrators set up an encampment on the Main Quad in front of Foellinger Auditorium, where they remained for 13 days in continuous negotiation with University administration. The University maintained that protestors were in violation of school policy and that they were liable for punitive action from the University, as well as possibly local authorities.
According to a document provided to WCIA by Champaign County State’s Attorney Julia Rietz, demonstrators physically resisted police efforts to breach the barrier with objects such as plywood, umbrellas and drywall boards.
Rietz said that demonstrators “grabbed at officers, shoved them and attempted to strike at them using the objects,” according to WCIA.
Protestors took photos and videos throughout the day to document and share their effort on social media. These posts were later used by investigators to identify Issa’s Instagram account, confirming her presence at the protest and determining her alleged crime.
On June 26, police located Issa and issued her a notice to appear in court. Rietz informed WCIA that their investigation is ongoing as they work to identify others involved. She said that she expects more cases to emerge.
The Champaign County State’s Attorney’s Office previously charged two other people for their alleged role in the protests, although neither of them are students. Christopher K. Zelle, 37, of Champaign, was arrested on two counts of mob action and one count of aggravated battery against an officer. George A. Vassilatos, 25, of Champaign, was arrested on one count of mob action and one count of obstructing an officer. Both arrests were made on the day of the first encampment.
