In an act of solidarity, over 100 Indiana University (IU) faculty members gathered outside Bryan Hall to protest the university's recent arrests of student demonstrators. The protest came in the wake of an encampment in Dunn Meadow being cleared by the State Police, leading to the arrest of 33 individuals on charges of criminal trespass.

One of the faculty members arrested, David McDonald, chair of the Department of Folklore and Ethnomusicology, stood with the protesters across the street from Bryan Hall, as he is temporarily banned from all IU properties following his arrest. McDonald expressed his concern over the use of force by law enforcement, stating that the Indiana State Troopers acted brutally while the situation remained peaceful.

During the protest, Alex Lichtenstein, a professor in IU's Department of American Studies, read out the university's 1969 policy that allowed the use of temporary structures in Dunn Meadow. IU recently changed this policy on April 24, now requiring approval from the Office of the Vice Provost for Student Life and University Events for any permanent or temporary structures. Lichtenstein demanded that the administration apologize for the arrests and reinstate the 1969 policy, among other requests.

The executive dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Rick Van Kooten, expressed profound concern for the students and faculty members who were arrested and temporarily banned from campus. He has conveyed his concerns to IU's leadership and plans to convene a meeting with the College's Chairs and Directors to address the urgent matter.

In response to the arrests, Jessica McDonald, a local therapist and wife of David McDonald, plans to establish a large group of trauma therapists to provide support for the arrested protestors. They have set up an email, bloomington.therapy@gmail.com, as a contact source for independent off-campus trauma therapy. The aim is to provide assistance not only to those who were arrested but also to other protesters affected by the incident.

Barbara Dennis, a professor in the School of Education, called for immediate help for students who were unable to return to their dorm rooms due to the bans. She emphasized the need to find a solution to ensure these students receive the necessary support during this challenging time.

The faculty-led protest demonstrated a strong desire for change within IU's administration and a commitment to upholding the university's core values. Faculty members expressed their pride in the student demonstrators for challenging the status quo and demanding a better university environment.

As the protest continues, IU's administration faces mounting pressure to address the concerns of the faculty and students and work towards lasting change. The demands put forth by the protesters include dropping charges against the arrested students, reinstating the 1969 policy, and ensuring the protection of peaceful demonstrators by utilizing the IU Police Department.

It remains to be seen how IU's administration will respond to the demands and whether a resolution can be reached that satisfies both faculty and student protesters. As the discussions continue, the faculty and student voices at IU serve as a reminder of the power of peaceful protest in demanding accountability and pushing for positive change on campus.