UPDATED: March 27, 2024, 12:06 p.m. CDT
At 11:37 a.m. CDT, sophomore Sam Schulman was released from detention. The student charged with vandalism was released at 11:58 a.m. CDT after being held on a 12-hour detention hold.
UPDATED: March 27, 2024, 11:05 a.m. CDT
The charge of the student whose bond was set at $1,000 has been updated as Vandalism of $1,000 or less.
Students who went to Nashville Downtown Detention Center to visit their four arrested peers expressed relief at reuniting with those who were released. At least 20 students are now at the jail in support of arrested peers.
“It was very sweet, and I’m very happy that they are okay and in good spirits,” senior Christina Johnson said.
Pro-bono lawyers for the students include First Amendment attorney Jonathan Wallace, a partner at Ratschko Wallace PLLC; Jordan Sluder, a drug crime and defense attorney; and Issam Bahour, a Nashville-based Palestinian attorney.
Senior Devron Burks, one of the released students, said that the arrested students have legal representation who are advising them to rest upon their release. Burks and Petocz were both released on their own recognizance and were not required to pay bail.
“We do have legal representation and we have more people kind of lined up,” Burks added.
Other students are organizing temporary off-campus housing for the 16 students who were served interim suspensions, which bar them from campus.
March 27, 2024, 10:20 a.m. CDT
Members of Vanderbilt Divest Coalition drove to the Nashville Downtown Detention Center to visit their four peers who were jailed due to sitting in for over 22 hours at Kirkland Hall to protest the university’s cancellation of a student body vote on a VSG BDS amendment. Two protestors arrested today have now been released.
Pro-bono lawyers are representing the arrested students.
Senior Devron Burks and first-year Jack Petocz — who were arrested this morning — were released at 9:48 a.m. CDT. Sophomore Samuel Schulman, who was also arrested this morning, has yet to be released. Burks, Petocz and Schulman’s court date was jointly set for April 19 at 8:30 a.m. CDT with the same judge — Judge Lynda Jones.
Another student being kept anonymous for protection from professional retribution, who was arrested last night outside Kirkland Hall, is being kept in holding until 1:30 p.m. CDT, the police report reads. Their court date was set for April 19 at 10:30 a.m. CDT, also with Jones. Their criminal record still does not read their charges but lists their bond as $1,000.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
Student • Mar 27, 2024 at 11:14 am CDT
Arresting a journalist, sending twenty cop cars to arrest one student for vandalism, and making protestors homeless? I’m ashamed to say I go here.
Tiredofsnowflakee • Mar 27, 2024 at 2:28 pm CDT
So withdraw and go elsewhere. I’m sure Vanderbilt will survive without your presence.
Vanderbilt Student • Mar 27, 2024 at 2:52 pm CDT
Don’t interfere with everyone else’s right to attend college unhindered by your extremism. You should be ashamed wasting your time and energy and schools valuable resources. Hamas can Free the hostages and end the war but they are not interested in that.
Anonymous • Mar 27, 2024 at 7:58 pm CDT
Arresting a non-student trespasser, sending several cop cars to ensure safety in a potentially volatile situation in which a staff member had already been assaulted, suspending students for conduct violations – it’s all in the phrasing
Graduate • Mar 27, 2024 at 10:28 pm CDT
We are ashamed that Vanderbilt has admitted you and we hope that you choose to continue your education in the Middle East.
The adults who have graduated view you as an ingrate, a disrespectful troublemaker (who is so attached to your politics of the moment, that you cannot see that you have been manipulated,) and a fool who is incapable of acknowledging that your compatriots were going to devolve in their usual brand of violence. Twenty cop cars prevented further vandalism, bloodshed, disruption of the University and criminal behavior. True journalists report the news, they are not actively involved in destruction like you and your buddies. True working people with a quality education can see right through you.
Vanderbilt Graduate • Mar 28, 2024 at 6:24 pm CDT
I’m ashamed Vanderbilt is in the news because the student protestors were insolent and aggressive. I’m very pleased they’re obligated to prove in court they didn’t assault Vanderbilt employees.