Champaign County State’s Attorney consulted prior to police action at protest, says she is prepared to prosecute

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — More law enforcement agencies are responding to a large encampment on University of Illinois campus, and the Champaign County State’s Attorney said they have her support.

As of 6:30 p.m., no arrests have been made, despite multiple confrontations between protestors at the Alma Mater Statue and law enforcement. If arrests are made and law enforcement believe someone violated criminal law, Champaign County State’s Attorney Julia Rietz is prepared to prosecute.

WCIA spoke with Rietz Friday around 4:30 p.m. She said her office was consulted prior to the police taking action this afternoon, and she is prepared to prosecute if arrests end up being made.

“My role is to determine if there is criminal violations, and if there are, prosecute them,” Rietz said. “And that is my plan.”

One person was arrested Friday morning at the encampment. Protestors started to rally again around 3:45 p.m. and multiple agencies responded to the scene.

University Police said in a Facebook post officers attempted to enter the assembly to remove demonstrators’ tents with no intention of making arrests, unless they violated criminal law. Police officials described the protestors as “combative” while officers tried to reach the tents, so officers retreated. Additional law enforcement agencies have since been assembled.

Urbana Fire Department is on scene with an ambulance in case of injuries, an official with the department confirmed.

Due to the increased police presence at the demonstration, the Illini 5K was cancelled for Friday evening.

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