“Purdue Liberation Zone” begins deconstruction, organizers face potential expulsion

Organizers of the “Purdue Liberation Zone” received an email from Purdue on Monday at midnight warning them to remove the structure built on Memorial Mall, but administrators wouldn’t arrive for another 32 hours.

After the two groups talked Tuesday morning, the protesters agreed they would take down the structure.

Johnny Hazboun, president of the Students for Justice in Palestine, said the structure isn’t “worth fighting for” and he plans to continue working with the organization to keep protesting.

“Realistically, I don't think, up until (Tuesday) night, we can take it down ourselves,” Hazboun said. “I'm not gonna put students in danger on wet ground and try and take out a structure we didn't build.”

Arjun Janakan, co-chair of the labor working group for the Young Democratic Socialists of America, said the structure was built by an “outside community member,” but did not provide a name.

“Purdue Physical Facilities stands ready to assist in the disassembly, and indeed is eager to do so, since South Memorial Lawn is greatly in need of deferred mowing to prepare for commencement week,” said Jeffrey Stefancic, Associate Dean of Students, in an email to Raisa Deotale, co-chair of the YDSA.

Stefancic arrived at Memorial Mall about 9 a.m. Tuesday with Phil Richey, Director of Grounds at Purdue University.

“This is … really nice conditions, so we don’t deem this as a safety hazard (to deconstruct),” Richey told Deotale. “If you need our assistance, we stand here to help you and assist you, so that’s what we bring to the table.”

“I really appreciate that but I think we can handle it ourselves and we’ll be getting it done,” Deotale responded.

When Stefancic asked when the structure would be down, Deotale said she could not give an exact time but would keep him updated.

As the structure starts to be torn down, Hazboun, Janakan, Deotale, Ishan Tripathi, a YDSA protester, and the YDSA are facing charges from the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities, according to emails sent from Stefancic and Dr. Martia King, Vice Provost for Student Life, sent earlier Tuesday morning.

Janakan and Tripathi face charges of obstruction or disruption of university activity, unauthorized use or occupancy of any university property, violation of any university rule governing and failure to comply with directions of university officials acting in the performance of their duties.

The Exponent has not been able to verify what charges Hazboun is facing.

“If responsibility is found, any combination of sanctions defined in the University Regulations including expulsion or suspension may be given,” Stefancic wrote in the email.

Potential sanctions for the club include probation, suspension or withdrawal of recognition of the student organization, according to an email from King.