An Arizona State University senior who was arrested and suspended after trespassing during an anti-Israel protest broke down in tears over missing graduation as a consequence of her actions.
“I’m being restricted from a lot of things right now that I didn’t expect to be for standing up for something I believe in,” Breanna Brocker told ABC15 as she choked up.
“You know I have family coming in who I have to let them know not come to my graduation ceremonies.”
She tearfully added: “I’m just disappointed. I’m a 2020 high school grad, so I wasn’t able to walk then. So, you know, here it is. I’m not able to walk now.”
Brocker said she will get her degree and be able to finish classes — but it’s not clear the circumstances under which she’ll graduate.
Despite the tears, Brocker said she would participate in such protests — which saw at least 72 students at ASU arrested — again.
“I was doing what I believed was right and I still believe it to be right. I would stand up for the cause again, even if it means something negative for me,” she said.
“So much harm has been done to all of those people already. I am safe, I am fine. I may not [walk at graduation] and that might harm future job prospects and stuff like that, but I’m not in physical danger. I am not constantly worried about being hurt or being forced from my home or anything like that.”
A US District judge denied a motion Friday to lift the suspension of 20 ASU students who were arrested during protests last week on campus, including Breanna Brocker, a senior who says her suspension prohibits her from participating in graduation events.
Brocker is one of the students who must stay away from campus following their suspension, which prompted students to file a lawsuit against the university on Tuesday.
The lawsuit accused ASU of violating students’ free speech rights and retaliating against students who attended the protest.
