The Justice Department unsealed an indictment charging eight pro-Palestinian activists with conspiring to intimidate University of Michigan officials amid divestment demands. The filing details vandalism including fake bloody corpses left on a board member's lawn and anti-Israel graffiti at former president Santa Ono's home, and alleges use of symbols prosecutors link to Hamas. Six defendants were expected in federal court, one was arrested in Wisconsin and another remained at large. The university says it has no direct investments in Israeli companies and that under $15 million of its endowment may be in funds that include Israeli-linked firms.
Federal Indictment: Eight Pro-Palestinian Activists Charged With Intimidation at University of Michigan
Vandalism at the Goodman Acker lack offices in Southfield, Michigan, on June 3, 2024. - Corey Williams/AP/File
Federal prosecutors on Wednesday unsealed an indictment charging eight pro-Palestinian activists with conspiring to carry out a criminal intimidation campaign against University of Michigan officials while pressuring the school to sever financial ties to Israel.
The indictment alleges a pattern of harassment and vandalism targeting university officials, Michigan-based companies and the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit. Prosecutors say the campaign included placing fake bloody corpses on the lawn of an elected university board member and spray-painting anti-Israel messages at the home of then-University President Santa Ono.
Alleged symbols and online amplification. According to the court filing, suspects marked victims with symbols prosecutors linked to Hamas — specifically red inverted triangles and red handprints — and used social media and the internet to broadcast threats and signal their intent to continue criminal activity.
"In America, we rule by law not by fear. These alleged threats and attempts to terrorize government officials, businesses, and the Jewish Federation are anti-American. We will counter intimidation with justice," said U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon Jr.
Six of the eight individuals named in the indictment were expected to make initial appearances in federal court in Detroit; one suspect was arrested in Wisconsin and another remained not in custody, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. The Associated Press reported it could not immediately reach the defendants or their attorneys for comment.
Context and university response. Since the Israel-Hamas war, pro-Palestinian demonstrators at the University of Michigan have demanded the endowment divest from companies with ties to Israel. The university maintains it has no direct investments in Israeli companies and says under $15 million of the endowment may be placed in funds that include companies with Israeli links — representing less than 0.1% of the total endowment.
In 2024, campus police cleared a pro-Palestinian encampment after roughly a month, citing concerns that the site posed a threat to public safety.
This indictment is part of a federal investigation into alleged intimidation and vandalism surrounding campus protests and divestment demands. As the case moves forward, further court filings and appearances are expected to clarify the scope of the alleged conspiracy and the charges each defendant faces.
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