ANN ARBOR, Mich. (WXYZ) — Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel dropped the charges against seven pro-Palestinian protesters at the University of Michigan.
In court on Monday, the AG's office dismissed the charges stemming from the clearing of the encampment in May of 2024. Those seven people including 28-year-old Sammie Lewis and 29-year-old Michael Muller were charged with trespassing and resisting and obstructing a police officer.
Watch Faraz Javed's report in the video player below:
"I feel shocked. Relieved. Radical, love and joy," Lewis said.
"We should take this victory and hope that it gives us strength to continue," Muller said.
Watch our breaking news report when the charges were dropped
"This is not just the victory for these students today, this is the victory for everybody that believes in the right to free speech. This was not about trespass, this was not about felony conduct. We sent a clear message to both Lansing and to Washington, that the people still rule, and that public pressure compels the rule of law to be upheld. This case attempted to criminalize free speech, and today, the state of Michigan agrees." said Amir Makled, a defense attorney.
Monday morning at the court, defense attorneys Makled and Jamil Khuja weren't surprised at the announcement as they've been pushing for Nessel's recusal.
Over the course of the case, people called for Nessel to recuse herself, and she said in a statement that the case has become a "lightning rod of contention."
"Why does the defense team think the AG was biased?" 7 News Detroit reporter Faraz Javed asked.
"Based on the public statement she has made regarding this issue. For her to not only get this case but go out of the way to solicit this case when it normally would have gone to the Washtenaw County prosecutor shows the level of bias that is there," Khuja said.
However, she said she stands by her charging decisions and said she believes a jury would find the defendants guilty.
"These distractions and ongoing delays have created a circus-like atmosphere to these proceedings. While I stand by my charging decisions, and believe, based on the evidence, a reasonable jury would find the defendants guilty of the crimes alleged, I no longer believe these cases to be a prudent use of my department’s resources, and, as such, I have decided to dismiss the cases," Nessel said in a statement.
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After digging for answers, Javed was told a two-page letter from the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor landed at Judge Cedric Simpson's desk over the weekend. The letter says Nessel doesn't hold any biases against Arabs and Muslims. In fact, it claims that as the first Jewish Michigan Attorney General, Nessel has hired more Muslim and Arab American staffers than any of her predecessors. Hence, they say there is no reason to suggest that Nessel cannot prosecute the defendants fairly. To suggest otherwise is shameful.
Read the letter below:
Letter to judge from Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor by WXYZ-TV Channel 7 Detroit on Scribd
"The judge viewed it as an improper attempt to influence his decision," Khuja said.
Watch below: Police raid pro-Palestinian encampment at University of Michigan Diag
"I had no idea that this letter was even a factor," said Eileen Freed, CEO of Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor.
While Freed says the letter wasn't intended in any way to influence the Court, she still believes more needs to be done to protect Jews on campus.
"There have been actual threats against our community, and there continues to be vial harassment outside one of our synagogues on a weekly basis," Freed said.
"Do you think the letter backfired?" Javed asked.
"I think so. The people can see who stands against justice," Muller said.
Muller shared why the movement is important to him.
"The narrative that the movement for Palestine is antisemitic is extremely harmful," Muller said.
"As a Black and Puerto Rican person, I understand the history of colonization and how it has affected my people. And that is deeply rooted and connected the struggle for Palestine," Lewis said.
Watch below: Dozens gather at Ann Arbor courthouse, demand AG drop charges against pro-Palestine protestors
Since the seven were arrested last May, people have called for the AG's office to drop the charges. Meanwhile, Khuja again says the case has been dismissed without prejudice. In theory, it can be filed again, but it is unlikely as the attorney general will face similar challenges.
