May 19, 2014: Statement on Trauma-Related Protests

Statement on Trauma-Related Protests

May 19, 2014

The University of Chicago upholds the right to peaceful and safe demonstrations, but cannot allow protests that jeopardize anyone's safety. We actively have worked with groups that choose to protest on the medical campus by establishing locations where they can demonstrate peacefully without jeopardizing patient safety and privacy or access to care.

Today, a handful of protesters entered a closed and fenced construction site where heavy equipment was in active use, posing a significant safety risk to them. Despite repeatedly offering the protesters alternative locations that are safe and on public property, they chose to remain on the construction site. As a result, we had no choice but to remove them from the location, for their safety and that of the workers at the site. No arrests were made, and no charges have been planned.

The University of Chicago will continue to support demonstrations that are not only peaceful but also safe for all those involved, as protests and dissident voices are an important part of open discourse and free expression.

- The University of Chicago Medicine