BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Mayor Kerry Thomson called on the Indiana State Police to use de-escalation tactics rather than force when dealing with protestors who have set up encampments on the Indiana University Campus.
That call came in a statement the mayor released on Sunday, clarifying a statement she had made the day before.
“I also spoke of the need to remain peaceful in protesting and ensure de-escalation rather than use of force. I was not clear in that statement,” the mayor said. “I was referring to the State police advance on peaceful protesters when I believe all routes to de-escalation had not been met.”
Thomson said she has instructed the Bloomington Police Department not to be involved in the removal of the encampments that have led to dozens of arrests and violent clashes between police and people protesting the war in Gaza.
The mayor’s office has ignored questions from FOX 59 about whether or not the university asked for Bloomington PD to assist. The university has refused to answer that same question.
State police arrested 23 protestors on Saturday after the university said they refused to remove their tents, which violates a policy that was passed just days earlier.
The university has had a policy in place since 1969 that has allowed protestors to use temporary structures in Dunn Meadow without needing any prior approval, as long as the structures were disbanded from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
However, the day before the protests began, the policy was revised to prevent protestors from erecting temporary or permanent structures without prior approval from the Office of the Vice Provost for Student Life and University Events.
The university invited the Indiana State Police on to the campus to help enforce the policy when protests began on Thursday. Police made more than 30 arrests that day.
Thomson did not directly criticize the university but called for better communication between the institution and the city it calls home.
“I hope that in the future, there will be greater communication and collaboration with our team when Indiana University undertakes actions that affect all of Bloomington, not just campus,” Thomson said.
Indiana University Police said it has given the protestors numerous verbal warnings to remove their tents and canopies before sending in officer to forcefully remove the encampments. The protestors have also been told that they would have been allowed to remain in Dunn Meadow if they removed the structures, according to IUPD.
"The Indiana State Police stands by the statements and new releases issued by Indiana University Police Department on Thursday and Saturday," Sgt. Kevin Getz said in an email to FOX 59.
Despite the previous removals, protestors set up another encampment on Sunday.
FOX 59 has reached out to Indiana University for comment and is waiting to hear back.