University of Illinois student charged with mob action outside pro-Palestinian camp

URBANA – Yafa Issa is the first University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign student to face charges for participating in pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus at the end of the 2024 academic year.

Issa, 18, was arraigned Tuesday in Champaign County District Court. She faces up to three years in prison if found guilty of the Class 4 mob felony.

“In my view, these prosecutions are unjustified and dramatically violate the spirit of public protest,” said Issa’s attorney Evan Bruno.

Bruno said Issa was a positive, long-time member of the Champaign County community.

In a statement to IPM, University of Illinois spokesperson Robin Kaler said, “Free speech and free expression are core principles and a cornerstone of academic research at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.”

However, Kaler said that if students decide to move from speech to civil disobedience, they must be prepared for the consequences.

The News-Gazette reports that investigators used videos and social media to link Issa to an afternoon demonstration on Friday, April 26.

During the protest, students surrounded their camp at the University of Illinois’ alma mater to prevent police from tearing down their tents. School administrators warned students that the tents were against school policy before sending campus police. Police were unable to clear a path to the tents. Students dismantled them themselves later that evening and rebuilt them on campus over the weekend.

The Champaign County District Attorney did not respond to requests for comment.

Activists expect three more cases in the coming days

Local activists say Issa is one of four protesters who will face court in the coming weeks. Another protester is scheduled to go on trial on July 16.

Shortly after the protests began in April, two demonstrators were brought to court and charged with mob violence.

Chris Zelle, 37, has been charged with mob attacks and aggravated assault on a police officer. He faces up to seven years in prison.

George Vassilatos, 25, has been charged with mob activity and obstructing an officer and faces up to three years in prison.