News

Felony charge dropped in first trial over pro-Palestine protest at University of Illinois

The April 26 demonstrations at the Urbana campus were part of a national wave of student-led protests in solidarity with Palestine. Photo: Metro Services

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, IL (Chambana Today) – The first trial connected to pro-Palestine protests at the University of Illinois ended Thursday with a partial acquittal.

Yafa Issa, 18, faced two charges stemming from the April 26 protest: felony mob action and a misdemeanor count of resisting or obstructing a police officer. The court found Issa not guilty of the felony charge — the most serious she faced — but convicted her on the misdemeanor.

The bench trial concluded around 4:15 p.m. with post-trial motions and sentencing set for July 3.

The April 26 demonstrations at the Urbana campus were part of a national wave of student-led protests in solidarity with Palestine, several of which led to arrests. Issa’s case is the first of multiple stemming from the university protest to reach trial.

Recent Headlines

20 hours ago in Entertainment, Trending

Matthew Perry’s assistant gets more than 3 years in prison for central role in his ketamine death

Matthew Perry's live-in personal assistant, who had a central role in the "Friends" star's descent into ketamine addiction and injected him with the fatal dose of the drug, was sentenced Wednesday to three years and five months in prison.

1 day ago in Entertainment, Music

The Chicks announce intimate ‘Taking the Long Way’ 20th Anniversary Tour. ‘This is our lives’

Call it a comeback, a crossover moment, or both. Twenty years ago, The Chicks released their blockbuster 2006 album "Taking the Long Way" — their first full-length after the country music industry turned their backs on them — and one of the biggest of their career.

1 day ago in Sports, Trending

The Blue Wave from tiny Curaçao is making World Cup history

Before the tournament even begins, Curaçao has already crafted a story like none other in World Cup history. A tiny island country — autonomous territory, if you prefer — of about 156,000 residents in the Caribbean is now the smallest, both in terms of population and land mass, to make it to soccer's biggest stage.

2 days ago in Entertainment

What tastes like a Korean pancake and is purple all over? An Oreo inspired by K-pop group BTS

Oreo is teaming up with K-pop supergroup BTS for a bit of marketing dynamite that capitalizes on consumers' growing interest in global flavors.

2 days ago in Entertainment

Scripps National Spelling Bee guide: How to watch, who the notable spellers are, rules and prizes

The best young spellers in the English language are competing at the Scripps National Spelling Bee this week, continuing a more than century-old tradition. The three-day competition began Tuesday and concludes Thursday night.