Northwestern Students, Police Clash In Downtown Evanston

EVANSTON, IL — Northwestern University students and other protesters clashed with police officers on Halloween night. One officer was injured as protesters threw bricks and rocks, lit fireworks and pointed lasers at the direction of police officers as the protest made its way from the Northwestern campus to downtown Evanston, according to a statement from the Evanston Police Department.

But a statement from the Northwestern University Graduate Workers Union places the blame on police.

"We unequivocally condemn the police brutality on display last night," the group said. "Last night proved once again that it is heavily armed, militarized police who create and escalate violence."

Police said they responded to the protester-initiated violence with pepper spray "when it was clear the event had transitioned from a peaceful protest to that of intentional destruction," according to their statement.

The injured officer, who was called in to help from the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System, was hospitalized with an eye injury sustained from a firework.

Protesters used umbrellas to cover people who were graffitiing street signs and damaging property, police said.

One Northwestern University student, a woman, was arrested. Charges against her were not announced as of Sunday afternoon. She was released from custody Sunday morning, according to a statement from the school.

"Northwestern strongly supports the free expression of ideas and vigorous debate, abiding principles that are fundamental to our University," the school's statement read, in part.

"Northwestern protects the right to protest, but we do not condone breaking the law. Should members of the Northwestern community be found in violation of University policies, state or federal laws, they will be held accountable through our processes."

The protest was the latest in weeks of nightly protests led by students demanding the university disband its private police force.

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"The City of Evanston and the Evanston Police Department support and respect the rights of all individuals to protest peacefully and safely in Evanston," Evanston Mayor Steve Hagerty said in a statement on Sunday. "However, those harming the health and safety of officers and the public, damaging property, or otherwise violating the law will be arrested."

Hagerty said he expects Northwestern to pay for the extra policing that's needed as a result of the protests.

"While this 30-day protest is costing tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars, in overtime, which I anticipate NU will cover, I, like you, want to know that these protesters are safe," the mayor wrote in a letter to Northwestern President Morton Schapiro.