Key facts
- Eight pro-Palestinian activists have been indicted on federal charges.
- The activists are accused of a conspiracy to intimidate University of Michigan officials.
- The goal was to force the university to cut financial ties to Israel.
- Incidents described include vandalism and online threats, with Hamas symbols allegedly used.
- The university stated its endowment has minimal direct investment in companies tied to Israel.
Federal prosecutors have unsealed an indictment against eight pro-Palestinian activists accused of orchestrating a criminal intimidation campaign against University of Michigan officials and entities with ties to Israel. The activists allegedly sought to compel the university to divest from companies connected to Israel.
The indictment details several incidents, including the placement of fake bloody corpses on an elected university board member's lawn and the spray-painting of anti-Israel messages at the home of the then-university president, Santa Ono. Prosecutors stated that threatening symbols used by Hamas, such as red inverted triangles and red handprints, were used to mark victims. The indictment also notes the use of the internet and social media to broadcast threats and commitment to further criminal activity.