Moment Arizona State University student CRIES after finding out punishment ... trends now
An Arizona State University student breaks down in tears in front of the court house following her arrest after learning she won't be allowed to graduate.
Breanna Brocker, a senior who took part in the pro-Palestine demonstrations on campus, told ABC 15 that she won't be able to graduate as her suspension will cause her to miss her final exam.
'I'm a little disappointed,' she said. 'I'm being restricted from a lot of things right now that I, that I didn't expect to be for first standing up for something that I believe in.'
The Arizona Board of Regents stated that ASU would collaborate with students facing suspension to ensure completion of final exams or assignments, even while the court case proceeds. However, it's unlikely their suspension will be lifted before the day commencement takes place.
'I have, I have family coming in who I have to let them know to, you know, not come to my graduation ceremonies.'
Breanna Brocker (pictured), a senior who took part in the pro-Palestine demonstrations on campus, told ABC 15 that she won't be able to graduate as her suspension will cause her to miss her final exam
Despite the punishment, Brocker said she doesn't regret standing up for what she believed in (Pictured: protests at Arizona State University after the campus canceled an event where Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib was to speak on Palestine)
Brocker said: 'I was doing what I believed was right, and I still believe it to be right. I would stand up for the cause again, even if it means something negative for me.' (Pictured: protest at Arizona State University after the campus canceled an event where Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib was to speak on Palestine)
Brocker was one the 72 individuals arrested and taken into custody for continuing to protest on ASU's campus despite being given multiple warnings about the potential legal and academic consequences (Pictured: Protests at Arizona State University after the campus canceled an event where Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib was to speak on Palestine)
A 2020 high school grad, she will miss her second chance to take part in a proper graduation ceremony.
But despite the punishment, she said she doesn't regret standing up for what she believed in.
'I was doing what I believed was right, and I still believe it to be right. I would stand up for the cause again, even if it means something negative for me,' she further said.
'So much harm has been done to all of those people already.'
At the end of the day, Brocker said the Palestinians in Gaza are the ones actually suffering.
'I am safe. I am fine. I might not graduate and that might harm future job prospects, but I'm not in physical danger. I'm not constantly worried about being hurt or being forced from my home or anything like that. I would absolutely stand up again and protest again,' she said.
Brocker was one the 72 individuals arrested and taken into custody for continuing to protest on ASU's campus despite being given multiple warnings about the potential legal and academic consequences.
She was also one of the 20 students the U.S. District judge denied preliminary injection to to lift the ban on students who were suspended after the protests.
In a statement, ASU wrote that the group of protestors, of which only 15 were students attending the university, set up prohibited encampments on Old Main lawn.
Those that refused to leave were arrested and charged with criminal trespass.
The students filed a lawsuit against the Arizona Board of Regents, citing violations of their First Amendment rights and causing 'irreparable harm' their suspension is causing them as they are unable to enroll in classes.
Brocker (pictured) was also one of the 20 students the U.S. District judge denied preliminary injection to to lift the ban on students who were suspended after the protests
The group of protestors, of which only 15 were students attending the university, set up prohibited encampments on Old Main lawn. Those that refused to leave were arrested for criminal trespass (Pictured: Protests at Arizona State University after the campus canceled an event where Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib was to speak on Palestine)
Judge John Tuchi ruled that the students did not provide sufficient evidence that either of their claims were true.
The judge's decision comes even though the trespassing charges against the students haven't even gone to court yet.
'Getting a restraining order or preliminary injunction is a very high burden, very difficult to do so I wouldn't say I'm surprised,' attorney David Chami, who is representing the 20 ASU students in this case, told ABC 15.
'The actions that they used to arrest and the decision they made to suspend without having all of the evidence sets to be contrary to what we do in this
