Ohio State President Ted Carter is ex-Military and worked five years as the superintendent of the Naval Academy. One might guess he has little use for these shenanigans.
DeRoche said the police response shocked her. Ohio State police officers and state troopers were at the protest along with a helicopter that spotlighted the area.
“Military-level force against non-violent teenage protesters was astonishing,” said DeRoche.
The women feel the police response was not necessary for the event.
“This is a space of academic freedom, of free thinking so to see that oppression of student protests is horrific for me,” said Kempler.
“I wasn’t expecting to be arrested at a university I have been attending for 12 years. I started here in 2012 with a bachelor's, I got my master's and now I’m getting my PhD,” said DeRoche.
https://www.10tv.com/article/news/local/ohio-state-students-share-story-after-being-arrested-protest/530-45ceef09-cfe6-4af9-ae53-9066db085408
President Carter:
Despite these warnings and clear information about the rules, student organizations and outside entities promoted both the morning and the 5 p.m. activities as “encampments,” and the university consistently informed the groups that this is prohibited and would not be permitted. At approximately 5:30 p.m., a group of more than 300, many of whom were not students, faculty or staff at Ohio State, crossed College Road to the South Oval and set up an encampment. Over the next five hours, the group proceeded to establish and build upon the encampment, while being repeatedly warned that this was prohibited. The Ohio State University Police Division was the lead agency, and after numerous warnings, the university made the decision to begin arrests. At approximately 10 p.m., law enforcement began the process of arresting and charging individuals with criminal trespass for knowingly violating university policy and police orders.
Encampments are not allowed on campus regardless of the reason for them. They create the need for around-the-clock safety and security resources, which takes these resources away from the rest of our community. They also create undue pressure on proximate buildings, in this case the Ohio Union, for restrooms and personal hygiene. During Finals Week, the Ohio Union is not only a study space for students, but it is also an exam location, including for students with disabilities. In this case, with the intent of creating an ongoing, 24/7 activity, the encampment also created a disturbance to our residential community in Baker Hall.
I acknowledge that even with additional facts about the incident and the timeline of events, some will continue to disagree with the actions taken. I accept that criticism and will always listen to others’ concerns. In short, I take my responsibilities very seriously and am accountable for outcomes. Arrests are not an action that I or any member of the administration take lightly. I have stated since the first day I was announced as president that safety will not be compromised.
https://president.osu.edu/story/message-042924