During Monday’s incident at Morrill Hall – involving protesters’ occupation and vandalism of the building, and employees unable to immediately exit – the University of Minnesota Police Department made entry into the building and 11 individuals were eventually arrested. The situation involved many unknowns and in some areas of the building, a chaotic situation. The circumstances remain under active police investigation.
Upon entry, UMPD encountered a group of individuals on the building’s ground floor. These individuals were initially placed into flex cuffs as officers worked to secure the space and assist other officers in a nearby area of the building who were requesting assistance. One of the individuals wore a vest marked with “Press.”
This Minnesota Daily reporter was detained in flex cuffs for roughly five minutes. Once the area was secured, officers identified individuals and were able to confirm the Daily reporter’s identity, although he was not carrying press credentials. He was immediately removed from the flex cuffs. The reporter indicated he had a backpack in another area of the building, but after several unsuccessful attempts to find it, the Daily reporter was told he could claim it at a later time from the Department of Public Safety. His backpack was eventually found unattended elsewhere in the building and it was removed by police with many other similar backpacks and protesters’ belongings. It was stored at the on-campus public safety building.
This morning, UMPD made contact with the reporter and he has since claimed his belongings. Making contact with him took time in the midst of other protest activity on campus Tuesday.
Other members of the media were present in Morrill Hall at the time and did not have a similar experience. In chaotic circumstances with many unknowns such as those experienced by officers in Morrill Hall on Monday, officers must sometimes temporarily detain those they encounter to ensure everyone’s safety before they are able to fully identify those involved.
The Department of Public Safety would like to reinforce that it greatly respects the role of the press and the importance of a free press in keeping the University and greater community safe. We are committed to ensuring journalists are able to safely and freely carry out their responsibilities of being the eyes and ears of the public and we will continue to keep that commitment at the forefront of our work.